Conopliolis ajuericana. 13 



J 



The tubercles are, in the main, a modification of the host, 

 within which develop endogenously the buds of the flower 

 shoots, which then break through the thick, protecting 

 "bark." 



This peculiar relationship of parasite and host recalls in its 

 development and growth the Balmiophorcce, or even the Rafflc- 

 siacccB, rather than the typical OrobancJica:, whose connection 

 with the host plant in all genera and species which have been 

 carefully worked out, is a much more evident and a much 

 less intimate one. These always develop some earth roots 

 in addition to the haustoria. This is never true of either of 

 the above orders, in both of which the flower is the only part 

 rising free from the host. 



Langsdoyffia and Balatiophora arc typical members of the 

 order Balanophorcce, whose history and parasitic relationship 

 have been carefully worked out by Sachs and Eichler, more 

 particularly the latter. The seed of each, in germinating, 

 destroys the bark and cortex of the host roots, lays open, 

 lacerates, and unravels the tissues in the search for food. 

 Then the woody bundles of the host ascend into the substance 

 of the parasite, spread out like a fan, and become so inter- 

 laced with the cells and vessels of the parasite that it is quite 

 impossible to distinguish one from the other. 



VIII. Histology of C. Americana. 



Under this head will be taken up mainly the microscopic 

 anatomy of the flowering stalk. As much of the histology 

 of the tubercle as I was able to make out has been already 

 discussed. But to make v/hat follows clearer, I will recapitu- 

 late the chief points mentioned. All are quite plainly demon- 

 strated in Plate V, Fig. 5, namely, the thick "bark," con- 

 tinuous and identical with that of the oak, the masses of 

 sclerenchyma, and the threads of soft parenchymatous tissue 

 surrounding these masses. 



