no 



MEMOIRS OF THE NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN. 



of 3 or 4 cm. and were partly exposed instead of being entirely 

 sheathed bv the leaf bases as in the normal. A single slender 

 inflorescence axis was developed from the axis of the first leaf reach- 

 ing a length of 4 cm. and then underwent atrophy. The normal 

 leaf of this species is roughly rectangular in cross-section, while 

 the etiolated was double convex. The rugose formations of the 

 normal leaf were lacking in the etiolated, except at the margins of 



Fig. 67. Gasteria disticha. ^, plant after six months in dark chamber, show- 

 ing two leaves formed in light, and two partially developed in light which completed 

 their growth in darkness, also inflorescence, stalks and small runner or offset. 



the lower etiolated leaves ; those found later were entirely smooth. 

 Etiolated leaves were only half the length of the normal, a fourth of 

 their width, and a third or fourth of their thickness. The chlorophyl 

 of the older leaves was retained with no apparent alteration, and a 

 slight tinge of green was noticeable in etiolated leaves due to the 

 occasional exposure to the light used for inspection. 



