The Leaves 



AND 



Salt-Secreting Cells of Spartina 

 Striata. 



By F. H. BILLINGS, Louisiana University, 

 Baton Rouge, La. 



The plant described in this paper under Spartina stricta, 

 is improperly named according to Merrill (a). In his monograph 

 he states that the species, stricta, is not found in this country, 

 but is European. Others, as Small (b) and Chapman (c) de- 

 scribe a Spartina stricta which answers the description of tlui 

 plant here considered, so that this name can be employed on 

 good authority. 



The grass grows in salt marshes, or brackish-water marshes 

 along our coast, and is abundant in the vicinity of the Gulf Bio- 

 Ltgic Station at the mouth of Calcasieu Pass. During a period 

 of excessive rainfall, the pass contains fresh water, so that the 

 roots of the grass may be bathed in water of densities varyinr: 

 from salt water to fresh. 



The leaves of the grass are two to three feet in length, avo 

 narrow, and have longitudinal grooves on the ventral sid'\ 

 When drying, the leaves fold or roll lengthwise, so as to enclose 

 the ventral surface. This movement is facilitated by the pres- 

 ence of the grooves. The longitudinal folding is manifestly a 

 protective feature which reduces the transpiring surface, thus 

 guarding against too great a water loss. Such a movement is 

 characteristic of many xerophytes, some of which have rolled 



