26 



TOPOGRAPHY OF CHLOROPHYLL APPARATUS IX DESERT PLANTS. 



PROSOPIS VELUTINA. (Figs. 12, 13, and 14.) 



Prosopis L'dutina is the most characteristic tree of the river-bottoms, where 

 in places it forms extensive forests. It varies in size from a small shrub 

 to a well-formed and shapely tree 15 m. or more high. The difference in 

 size depends mainly on the lack or the abundance of the water-supply. 

 Leaves are formed in the spring and are shed in the autumn with a regu- 

 laritv characteristic of deciduous trees of more humid regions. 



FIG. 12. Prosopis velutina: A, transverse section of stem 4 mm. in diameter, 

 to show distribution of chlorophyll; ff, segment from cortex of stem 7 mm. 

 in diameter, to show relation of hard bast (//. o.) to chlorophyll. 



The sections of branches studied were cut at nine separate intervals 

 from 3 cm. to 1.23 in. from the tips, and were from 1.3 mm. to 1.5 cm. in 

 diameter. 



In several particulars the distribution of chlorophyll in Prosopis recalls 

 that in Parkinsonia. In the young stem chlorophyll may be found in prac- 

 tically all of the ground-tissue both of cortex and of wood. With increase 

 in size the chlorophyll distribution of the stem becomes greatly restricted 

 and the topography of the chlorophyll apparatus becomes much changed. 

 The general structural relations of the stem will be apparent from the suc- 

 ceeding account of the distribution of the chlorophyll and will not require 

 especial discussion. 



The epidermal cells of Prosopis do not contain chlorophyll in this as 

 well as certain other particulars Prosopis is unlike Parkinsonia. Prosopis 



