408 Rennert: Th^ Phyllodes of Oxypolis filiformis 



elusion that the conservation of water is the chief purpose met by 

 the striking structural adaptations. 



This view is strengthened by the experimental results. Two 

 series of cultural tests were made. In one series a number of 

 plants in pots of soil were enclosed in bell-jars and were thus grown 

 in a saturated atmosphere. Others were entirely submerged in 



Fig. 2. Partial cross-section of phyllode, xerophytic form, X I40- 



tanks of water. The phyllodes produced under these conditions 

 were similar. In both cases these organs were delicate, hollow, 

 terete, translucent, light green in color, and exhibited no trace of 

 glands or pits. The stipules were membranous and reduced in 

 width. The epidermal cells were without wax or cuticle and were 

 greatly elongated longitudinally. The stomata were partly ex- 

 serted and were of a reduced number, but retained their character- 

 istic structure. In consequence of the regularity of the epidermal 



