ORGANS or NUTRITION. 



181 



leaf may become transformed into branching tendrils {figs. 354 

 and 362), as in Lathyrus sylvesUis 2nd, The petiole may 

 become cirrhose, as in Lathyrus Aphaca (fig. 363), and many 

 other plants of the Leguminoste. 3rd, Tlie stipules may assume 

 the form of tendrils : thus in many species of Sniilax, there are 

 two tendrils, one on each side of the petiole (fig. 364) ; in the 

 Melon, Cucumber, and some other plants of the Cucnrbitacece 

 there is but one tendril at the base of each leaf. 



Phyllodes or Phyllodia. — In the leaves of some plants, as in 

 Austrahan Acacias (fig. 365), &c., the vascular bundles of the 

 petiole, instead of remaining till they reach the blade before se- 



Fig. 366. 



Fig. 365. 



Fig. 365. A phyllode of an Aus- 

 tralian Acacia Fig.Zf>&. Leaf 



of an Acacia {Acacia hetero- 

 phyUa), the petiole of which as- 

 sumes the character of a phyl- 

 lode, and is terminated by a bi- 

 pinnate lamina. The venation of 

 the pliyllode may be seen to be 

 parallel. 



parating, begin to diverge as soon as they leave the stem and 

 become connected by parenchyma as in the ordinary blade of a 

 leaf ; the petiole thus assumes the appearance of a lamina, and 

 N 3 



