PHYSIOLOGICAL PROCESSES IN PLANTS 119 



2. Do you think the water content of the soil is such as to satisfy a 

 hydrophyte ? 



Observation. Cut off the stems of some of these plants. Is their 

 structure more or less spongy than hydrophytes ? 



Conclusion. Are the stems of meadow rnesophytes more or less able 

 to serve as supporting organs as compared with the stems of hydrophytes ? 



Observations. 1. Note the number of leaves. Are they more or less 

 abundant than with hydrophytes ? 



2. Note the fleshiness, thickness, and breadth of the leaves. How do 

 they compare with hydrophytes ? 



Conclusion. Show whether the leaves of hydrophytes would be well 

 or poorly adapted to carry on the work required of them by meadow 

 mesophytes. (Refer to pages 1 02-103 : Means of protection against 

 enemies, climate, etc.) 



Observation. Look for stomata. On which side of the leaf do you 

 find them ? 



Conclusions. 1. How do the locations of stomata in these plants com- 

 pare with those of hydrophytes ? Any reason for different locations ? 



2. Do you think the plants you have studied are perfectly adapted to 

 their habitat ? Give reasons. Note. If plants are not well adapted to 

 their environment, they will be stunted in growth, reproduce themselves 

 poorly, and be easily killed or driven out. 



3. Do you think any of these plants could live about as readily in 

 any other habitat as in a hydrophytic or xerophytic region ? That is, are 

 plants always killed out if they do not readily find their special habitat ? 



May such a plant as a willow flourish as a hydrophyte if such a habitat 

 should accidentally be thrust upon it ? 



2. FOREST 



1. Thickets. 



2. Deciduous forests. 



3. Evergreen forests. 



Method. Follow the same method of procedure as for meadow. 



3. SANDY PLAIN OB SANDY ROADSIDE 

 Method. As for meadow. 



d. Summary 

 Observations. 1, Fill in the following tabulation, as far as possible : 



