PROTECTION OF LEAF-MARGINS 



193 



sinuate, crenate or serrate leaves, on the contrary, it is often necessary 

 for the indentations to be specially protected, since these are, of course, 



Fig. 69. 



Base of an indentation of the leaf-margin of Axph niutn diversi/olium, showing a series of 

 crescentic stereides which prevent tearing. After Benneseh. 



particularly exposed to the danger of tearing. This strictly local pro- 

 tection is often effected by short mestome-anastomoses, which extend 

 tangentially so as almost to intersect the base of each indentation. 



N 



