2LEK0PHYTE ASSOCIATIONS 



201 



Fig. 178. A branch of Cytisus, showing the 

 reduced leaves and thorny branches.— After 

 Kerner. 



regulation of transpiration, but 

 storage of water, as it is received at rare inter- 

 vals. It is very common to find a certain re- 

 gion of the plant body given over to this work, 

 forming what is known as water tissue. In 

 many leaves this water tissue may be distin- 

 guished from the ordinary working cells by 

 being a group of colorless cells (see Fig. 183). 

 In plants of the drier regions leaves may 

 become thick and fleshy through acting as 

 water reservoirs, as in the case of the agave, 

 sedums, etc. Fleshy or " succulent " leaves 

 are regarded as adaptations of prime impor- 



the cell, so that when 

 the light is very intense 

 they move to the more 

 shaded depths of the 

 cell, and when it be- 

 comes less intense they 

 move to the more ex- 

 ternal regions of the 

 cell (see Fig. 182). 

 The stomata, or air 

 pores, which are devel- 

 oped in the epidermis, 

 are also great regulators 

 of transpiration, as has 

 been mentioned already 

 (see §31). 



143. Water reservoirs. 

 — In xero- 

 phytes at- 

 t e n t i n 

 must be 

 given not 

 only to the 

 also to the 



Fig. 179. A 

 leaf of traga- 

 canth, show- 

 ing the re- 

 duced leaf- 

 lets and the 

 thorn-like 

 tip.— After 

 Kerner. 



