JOURNAL 



OF TUB 



ROYAL MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY. 



OCTOBER, 1880. 



TKANSACTIONS OF THE SOCIETY. 



XX. — On the Structure and Function of the Scale-Leaves of 

 Lathrea squaniaria. By W. H. Gilburt, F.R.M.S. 

 (Read 9th June, 1880.) 

 Plate XVII. 

 Bentham, ill describing the uuderground portion of this re- 

 markable plant, says : " Eootstock fleshy and creeping, covered 

 with close-set, short, thick, fleshy scales." * Syme and Lankester 

 first describe it as having subterranean stems, and then go on to 

 say, " Eootstock branched, giving off slender fibres which attach 

 themselves by minute tubercles to the plant on which it grows ; " 

 and further on, " The common name of tliis plant was given to it 

 from a supposed resemblance of the scaly roots to a human 

 tooth." t 



That the term " rootstock " is here incorrectly applied will I 

 think, be at once apparent, for the following reasons: — («) That 

 the flowering stem is a direct continuation of axis of the plant ; 

 (&) that the scales with which the underground portions are I'ur- 

 nish( d ari.so, as do all leaves, in strictly acropetal order ; (c) and that 

 the branches are produced from buds arising in the axils of the.so 

 scales. We must therefore regard it not as a rootstock, but as an 

 underground stem ; and the scales, as leaves which have undergouo 

 modification. 



The description given above conveys all that need be said of 



EXPLANATION OF PLATE XVII. 



Figs. 1-3.— Sections of sciile-loiivcs. 1. Transverse. 2. Tang(.ntiiil. 3. Vortical 

 nnd radial to tlio stem. 

 „ 4-G. — Ses.'jiio bUifaoo glaii(l.-<. 4. lu plm. ;"). Pir-ipcctivo. G. 0|pti<-al 

 BLction allowing laign lia.sal c< II, and thickening of cnp-ccll walls 

 in anglis. 

 „ 7, S. — PedicoUate glands. 



Figs. 1-3x8; 4-8 X 22.'). 



♦ ' Ilandlmok nf niitlHli Flora,' vol. ii. p. <'.i)l 

 t 'English P.utaii.v." vol. vi. pp. ls;i-'.)(i. 

 vol.. III. 



