ERIOCAULONE.E. 115 
with Ferns, the gyrate portions of some of which abound 
with spiral vessels. Mr Valentine finds them in the roots of 
the hyacinth, but only towards the point. 
I shall take the leaves of the E. setaceum, as the type of the 
foliaceous formation, since itis evidently here reduced to its _ 
simplest state ; premising that the whole of this plant, with 
the exception of the sheaths and peduncles, is invariably 
submerged. The leaves of this species are subulate, but some 
what compressed on the inferior surface. They are green on 
the superior, colourless on the inferior surface. 
They are hollow from base to apex, and divided along the 
'mesial line by the central, and only nervure, which is connected 
by cellular tissue with both cutes, separating it into two dis- 
tinct tubes ; numerous transverse septze attached circularly to 
the parietes of each tube, complete their division into cham- - 
bers. The parenchyma, is confined entirely to the upper half 
of the cutis, and central longitudinal dissepiment, and what is 
very remarkable, there is no apparentline of demarcation, or 
any thing to indicate the cause of such an abrupt cessation. It 
consists of ovate colourless vesicles (cells) which include a va- 
riable number of highly green globules, themselves com- . 
posed of granular bodies. These globules are variously ar- 
ranged, either forming a central nucleus, or adhering in 
groups tothe parietes of the vesicles, which some times are 
nearly full, some times only half filled. They are arranged in 
one series with the most beautiful regularity into lines 
which run longitudinally from base to apex. As from their 
shape, they can touch each other by their greatest convexities, 
small colourless spaces are left between them, corresponding 
to their least convexities, through which the cutis is visible. 
They are arranged along the body of the cell of the cutis, so 
that the lines of junction of these are likewise disposed with 
great regularity, alternate with the lines of the vesicles. 
The middle nervure is of analogous formation with the vas- 
cular fascicles of the stem. 
The septa are attached to the parietes of the tubes, and to 
