84 VEGETABLE ORGANOGRAPHY. 



plants to wliich they adhere. These organs are found 

 but very rarely, and I even doubt if they exist any- 

 where but in the Cuscutacese : their intiiuate organ- 

 ization has not, as yet, been studied with care ; they 

 present a tubercle, the apex of which is hollow, and it 

 is by this cavity, which is applied to the bark of the 

 plant which supports the Cuscuta, that the nourishment 

 penetrates the sucker. 



What is the internal structure of Suckers? Are 

 these organs analogous to Spongioles ? What is the 

 mechanism by which their action is performed ? We 

 are completely ignorant upon these subjects; and I 

 only mention them here for the purpose of calling the 

 attention of observers to them. 



