ATROPHY OF ORGANS FROM TRANSFERENCE 273 



absorption takes place entirely through hairs de- 

 veloped upon the leaves. 



In addition to such examples of plants which 

 have lost their roots on account of the functions of 

 the roots being assumed by other organs, there are 

 also plants in which the roots represent the sole 



FIG. Sl.Tceniophyllum Zollingeri with branches adhering to bark. The plant 

 bears a flower and a bud. 



vegetative organs. In Tceniophyllium Zollingeri 

 (fig. 81), an epiphytic orchid, the leaves are reduced 

 to minute scales and are of no importance in the 

 nutrition of the plant, that function being trans- 

 ferred to the roots which in the form of flat green 

 ribbons, apply themselves closely to the bark of 

 trees. In this case the roots have assumed the 



s 





