191 



and ape, otherwise some of the leaves would be more or less com- 

 pletely shaded, and to that extent unable to participate in the im- 

 portant work of starch-making-, as this process can take place only 

 in the presence of sunlight. In the case of such plants as ferns, 

 the leaves of which are commonly much divided, and which do 

 not need direct sunlight (as is evinced by their habitat in shady 

 woodlands), this shading of the leaves is not so detrimental, and 

 the leaves are therefore frequently crowded into dense rosettes. 



The kalo leaves may rise from one to five feet above the ground, 

 varying according to the variety, and to the conditions under 

 which it is growing. \\\\(\ kalo, growing in shaded places, com- 

 monly has long, spindling petioles, as a result of the leaves' 

 struggle to attain the sunlight. In order to support the broad 

 expanse of leaf-surface the veins are prominently developed. This 

 may be easily seen by examining the under-surface of a leaf. This 

 prominent skeleton of veins in the kalo leaf is in striking con- 

 trast to the absence of such a supporting framework 'in the body 

 of such a plant as the sea-lettuce, which is abundant along many 

 Hawaiian beaches, and resembles wet, green, crumpled tissue 

 paper. The sea-lettuce lives in cjuiet tidal pools, and so has little 

 need for skeleton or rigid framework. 



Just within the edge of the kalo leaf is a continuous vein par- 

 allel with the margin and connecting the ends of the lateral veins. 

 This peripheral vein strengthens the margin of the leaf and aids 

 in preventing tearing by the wind or other agencies. Many large 

 entire leaves are protected in this manner. A notable exception 

 is the banana, whose leaves have no such marginal veins, and are 

 therefore usually blown to tatters. The peripheral vein of the 

 kalo leaf opens, by means of large pores, out through the margin. 

 "Freciuently in sunshine immediately after rain there is a super- 

 fluity of water in the plant, and this is reduced by the discharge 

 of water through these pores — a phenomenon known as 'weeping' 

 which is rather common among the aroids." — Barrett. 



The kalo leaves are remarkably smooth textured. The leaves 

 of many plants are characterized by hairy or wooly coverings, but 

 the kalo leaf is entirely devoid of such protection. Immunity is 

 secured by the presence, in all parts of the plant, of acrid sub- 

 stances and gummy secretions. The yellowish juice or latex upon 

 exposure to the air rapidly thickens and turns brownish, forming 

 a viscid gum. The true sap produces an indelible reddish-brown 

 stain. 



A slight shower fills the concavity of a horizontal kalo leaf with 

 a tiny pool that glistens like quicksilver. Wild kalo frequently 

 grows near the springy places where the woodland wayfarer 

 pauses for a drink. Its freshly-plucked leaf, folded across the 

 base, is a most convenient and artistic cup. 



The young leaves are formed in the center of the i)lant, being 

 furled each within the petiole of the next older leaf. One by one 



