20, 



store water in the wet season for their later use.v'hen 

 the supply of water is not so abundant . Thi s is especially- 

 true for Utricularia and some of the aroids. Still 

 others form special tissues which are capable of absorbing 

 water rapidly as is evident in the orchids .In these plants 

 the velamen, which is so common in epiphytic orchids^ is 

 capable of absorbing water rapidly and storing it for 

 some time. Moreover, the aerial roots of the epiphytic 

 orchids in addition to the velamen also have considerable 

 chlorophyll tissue in the cortex.They are thus capable 

 of photosynthetic work. 



Schimper further showed that in some bromeliads 

 the leaves and not the roots assume the function of 

 water absorption. In such forms as Tillandsia usneoides, 

 scales which cover the entire body of the plant function 

 as absorbing organs.The structure of such scales was 

 later worked out in detail by Mez (18). Schimper 's 

 experiments with the leaves of Caraguata lingulata, 

 Brocinia. and Vresia sp. prove conclusively that in these 

 forms the leaves are the chief organs Of absorption. 



Concerning the distribution of epiphytic species, 

 Schimper regards light and humidity as the chief condition 

 affecting the occurrence of the epiphytes in special 

 localities.He states (p.90);» Licht.f euchte Luft, 

 reichliche Thaubildung.hauf ige Regenguesse stellen die 



