HARDWICKE'S SC1EN CE-GOSSIP. 



203 



node, it will be seen that the woody wedges do not 

 continue uninterrupted the whole length of the 

 plant, but that they divide at each node ; one half 

 goes to the right, and one half to the left, to form 



vessels are cut nearly transversely at the node, and 

 so give rise to the appearance of the vessels at a, 

 fig. 108. 

 It lias been both affirmed aud denied by fossil 



the next wedge above the node. This arrangement I botanists that this plant possessed medullary rays ; 



Fijr 10S. 



Hg\ 209. 



' T Rt II "fifflfl Ifflfl II ISIfflfl MIBIfflTR IH 



II H 



w 



Mitel 





W: 





Fig. 110. 



of the vessels, as seen in the tangental section, gives 

 the peculiar form the vessels assume as seen at the 

 node in the vertical section, fig. 103. Suppose a 

 vertical section is cut as represented by the line 

 a, b, drawn through fig. 109, it will be seen that the 



many of my sections seem to prove the question 

 beyond doubt (see fig. 108). The distinguishing 

 feature of this tribe of plants has been the presence 

 of the canal at the point of each woody wedge : I 

 have specimens in my cabinet which show a depar- 



