Plant Defences 1 1 7 



curtains " of cells filled with red sap which further protects 



Fig. 104. — Anacampseros papyracea, E. M. Papery stipules cover the 

 small green fleshy leaves. 



the chlorophyll from the 

 chemical rays of the sun. 



This chapter has dealt 

 with the way some plants 

 have become adapted to cer- 

 tain regions in South Africa 

 so that they have survived 

 in the "struggle for exist- 

 ence ". Plants growing in 

 shaded forests or floating in 

 ponds have quite different 

 habits from these we have 

 been describing. 



The study of plants in 

 relation to their surround- 

 ings is known as Ecology. It seeks to explain the origin of 



Fig, 105. — Anacampseros papyracea, E. 

 M. A, small green leaf with large 

 papery stipule toward the axis ; B, 

 The stipule curled back upon being 

 moistened. 



