DODECANDRIA, 121 



ceous perennials, is similar to evergreen trees; its 

 succulent leaves resisting the severity of winter. The 

 leaves of some plants of this kind are so replete with 

 juices, that they can even dispense with the earth 

 for a time, imbibing sufficient humidity from the at- 

 mosphere for the purposes of vegetation. It is for 

 this reason that, unless in extremely hot weather, 

 gardeners seldom water succulent plants, as the Aloe, 

 which rot when they are moistened, if' the sun does 

 not quickly diy them up. 



