•27») Harshberger : Water-storing tubers 



nucleus disappears and the lining protoplasmic layer becomes still 

 more contracted until it is difficult to detect. Absolute alcohol 

 causes the contraction of the tubers, but no inulin is crystallized 

 out by the use of this reagent. The application of Fehling's solu- 

 tion is without result, nor is tannin present, as the razor and 

 methylene-blue tests indicate. Clearly, we are led to the con- 

 clusion that these tuberous roots are developed for the purpose of 

 storing water and the necessity for the storage of this water is the 

 same as in the fern species previously described. 



University of Pennsylvania. 



