THOSE LITTLE WORKSHOPS 



87 



little pores — or stomata, as they are called. A single 

 Oak-leaf, for instance, was reckoned to have on its 

 under-side alone more than two millions. Some of the 

 largest known are on the leaves of Orchids, and some of 

 the smallest are on the leaves of Water Lilies. But all 



STOMATA. 



are tiny. They are most useful, most necessary, for 

 the life of the plant. They have to let in and to let 

 out supplies of both air and water-vapour. 



A plant — any kind of plant — must do three things, 

 not unlike what we have ourselves to do. It has to 

 breathe. It has to digest. It has to transpire. This 



