H. W. KINO OX THE PHYSIOLOGY OF MONSTERA DELICIOSA. 127 



their apparent hardness by the pressure of the fluid within 

 them ; they become a series of distended bladders, and while 

 the cells of the tissue surrounding them are capable of deposit- 

 ing colouring and other substances, these cells remain clear and 

 thin-walled, distinct organs, like reservoirs of moisture for the 

 tissues to draw from, to enable them to act in variable con- 

 ditions of the atmosphere. 



Developing from the lower half of the node immediately 

 beneath the axil of the leaf the roots are at first a faint green, 

 almost white as they burst their way through the bark of the 

 stem, swelling as they increase in length, darkening in hue as 

 they mature, except the growing point, which, while above 

 ground, remains greenish white. They continue to descend in 

 search of moisture and food, sometimes trailing serpent -like 

 along the surface of the earth for some yards, and often 

 dividing and sub-dividing until they form masses of twisted 

 and contorted fibres, some of which attain half-an-inch in 

 diameter, and hard as the bark of the stem. Many roots which 

 I have seen clinging tenaciously to cork bark throw out along 

 their surface multitudinous sucker-like expansions, such as 

 are to be seen upon the clinging roots of many climbers, as ivy, 

 only closer, more like velvet pile, while others plunge direct 

 into the earth. Thus, according to conditions, each root is 

 capable of accommodating itself to the state most conducive to 

 its well being. The proportion of root growth to that of the 

 stem and its other appendages is very great in Monstera as 

 compared to plants which require roots mainly for nourish- 

 ment, and not as in Monstera deliciosa, for repetitions of 

 support to enable the plant to ever raise itself into light 

 and air above the growth of tropical vegetation. 



In structure the root is principally composed of irregular 

 cylindrical cells, strengthened and supported by long cells of 

 woody fibre, the latter giving to the binding and clinging 

 roots that strength and tenacity and means of rapid convey- 

 ance of fluid so necessary to a plant of this description. 

 Coursing through the centre are a number of scalariform ducts, 

 and arranged outside these in a circular growth are a series of 

 pitted ducts. The walls of the cellular tissue of the centre are 

 thinner than those of the cuticle, which become thickened by a 

 brown deposit, and it is this which gives the hardness and 



