152 MR. P. GROOM—CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE 
reduced than those of Corallorhiza, and there are no leaf-trace 
bundles. The scales are visible only at the growing point 
(Reinke). Histologically the cortex of the rhizome agrees with 
that of Corallorhiza. But Reinke says that in the central 
cylinder there is no distinction into phloém and xylem; the 
vascular tissue, he states, is represented by a homogeneous mass 
of prosenchymatous cambiform cells. 
In the inflorescence-axis there are several circles of vascular 
bundles in which phloém and xylem are distinct. 
De Bary states that stomata occur in the rhizome of Epi- 
pogum aphyllum. 
Drude, jin 1873, issued a monograph on Neorr1a NIDUS-AVIS, 
adding to the observations of Schacht and Prillieux on the mor- 
phology of this plant. He also made a number of observations 
on the assimilation of carbonic acid by the plant, under the belief 
that Neottia contained chlorophyll. He came to a conclusion that 
Neottia does assimilate carbon dioxide. 
Histology of the Inflorescence-axis.—Outside is epidermis with 
no stomata. Then follow several layers of elongated cortical 
parenchyma. The ring of vascular bundles is embedded in a 
general sheath of sclerenchyma-fibres. Some of these bundles 
have xylem radially exterior, as well as interior, to the phloém. 
The xylem consists solely of vessels. 
The scale-leaves have no stomata, and several vascular bundles 
traverse them. 
Histology of the Rhizome.—The rhizome structurally agrees in 
the main with the inflorescence-axis. But vascular bundles going 
to the roots traverse the cortex ; and several layers of cells near 
the epidermis contain a brown substance (mycelial masses). 
Within the epidermis lie 2-3 layers of cells similar to it, then 
come 1-2 layers of larger cells containing the brown substance. 
The rest of the cortex is rich in starch. A general sheath of 
sclerenchyma, two circles of vascular bundles (smaller than iu 
the stem), and ground-tissue which in the centre forms a pith, 
eomplete the structure. 
Histology of Hoots.—A. root-cap is present; within the epi- 
dermis succeed two layers similar to it; then two layers of larger 
parenchyma with brown substance. And within these lie layers 
of parenchyma which contain starch, and gradually diminish in 
size till the innermost form a sheath around the “ central vascular 
bundle" (sic). 
