130 H. W. KING ON THE PHYSIOLOGY OF MONSTERA DELICIOSA. 



would be kept dry were the leaf a plain expansion, void of 

 sutures and perforations, because the leaves, when growing, 

 have a tendency to overlap one another, similar to the tiles on 

 a roof. So that, were it not for these perforations, the broad, 

 bright verdure, intended to nourish and be a means of support, 

 would, instead, be the means of cutting off a large portion of 

 the fluid supply to the plant. 



Growing upon a peduncle axillary to the leaf, the large and 

 beautiful inflorescence may be seen, partially protected by a 

 single bract or spathe, which forms one of the most striking 

 features of this plant. The flowers consist chiefly of a pistil 

 and stamens, arranged in a regular spiral round the spadix. 

 Previous to its expansion, the spathe is coiled round the 

 spadix; it is then a soft, pale green colour, which gradually 

 acquires a hue approaching ivory white when fully matured, 

 and acquiring an additional beauty by the hexagonal markings 

 of the pistils, which were impressed on it by the force of 

 growth in the spadix before uncoiling, and which are retained 

 during its vitality. The duration of the flower in a hothouse 

 is about fourteen days ; it is possible that the duration in a 

 state of nature is much less, as fertilization would take place 

 with greater facility. The spathe is composed of cellular 

 tissue, irregularly hexagonal in form, interspersed with spiral 

 vessels. It is remarkable for the amount of laticiferous tissue 

 that ramifies throughout its whole structul-e ; intercellular 

 spaces are numerous, but very little woody fibre is formed in it. 

 The cuticle is well-supplied with stomates, which take the 

 same form as those upon the leaves. 



The structure of the peduncle is similar to that of the leaf- 

 stalk or petiole, consisting of the spherical cells forming the 

 rough prominences, oblong cells, bands of woody fibre surround- 

 ing spiral vessels, as represented in the section of the leaf-stalk. 

 The rachis is a continuation of the peduncle. Its cellular 

 structure becomes larger, owing probably to a stimulated 

 vitality causing the cells to appropriate more nutriment from 

 the circulating fluid, which is increased by an extra number of 

 spiral vessels distributed through it, and by the thinness of the 

 cell walls, which do not become thickened by deposits as in the 

 more lasting parts of the plant, so enabling the fluids to 

 permeate with greater facility. 



