116 GENEEAL BOTANY 



cells flank the veins above and below to prevent the collapse of 

 the conducting cells and to strengthen the entire framework of 

 the leaf. The conducting cells are in the form of vascular bun- 

 dles, which are continuations of the vascular bundles of the 

 stem and root. They have the same general character as those 

 of the stem, except in the smaller veinlets, where the conducting 

 tissue is reduced to a few cells. The vein tissue thus puts the 

 manufacturing mesophyll cells in direct connection with the 

 main axis of the plant. 



