“These are marks where leaves once grew upon it,” his uncle remarked. “Notice that the primrose leaves form a rosette on the top of this underground stem.”
“Is there any reason for these plants having their stems under ground?” Tom asked.
“There is a reason for everything in nature, my boy. Can’t you see any reason for this yourself?”
“I see one, I think,” said Frank; “it enables the plant to creep out to new soil.”
“That is one very good reason, Frank. Now, why should it seek other soil?”
“For food!”
“That is right, Frank. Those plants which have underground stems seem to die down every autumn; but they are alive all the time under ground, safe from the frosts and bitter winds which kill tender plants. And they peep up in a new place in spring.
Anemone.
“Now I want you to tell me why these underground stems are swollen out so. It cannot be for strength, for creeping stems don’t require to be strong.