FOLIAR ORGANS. 395 
With reference to this point the reader is referred to 
Mr. Bentham’s account of the morphology and homo- 
logies of the Myrtacew in the ‘ Journal of the Linnean 
Society,’ vol. x, p. 105. See also ante, pp. 71, 77. 
Some doubts also exist as to the nature of the beak 
or columella of such fruits as those of Geraniacer, 
Malvacee, Umbellifere, Euphorbiacee, &e. The nature 
of the organ in question may probably be different in 
the several orders named; at any rate the subject can- 
not be discussed in this place, and it is mentioned here 
because, now and then, it happens that the organ in 
question is completely wanting, and hence affords an 
illustration of suppression. 
CHAPTER II. 
SUPPRESSION OF FOLIAR ORGANS. 
THis subject may be considered, according as the 
separate leaves of the stem or of the fiower are affected, 
and according as either the number of members of 
distinct whorls, or that of the whorls themselves, is 
diminished. 
The terms aphylly, meiophylly, and meiotaxy may 
be employed, according as the individual leayes are 
altogether wanting, or with reference to the diminished 
number of parts in a whorl, or a decrease in the 
verticils. . 
Aphylly—Entire suppression of the leayes is a rare 
phenomenon. Under ordinary circumstances it occurs 
in most Cactacew, in some of the succulent Euphorbias, 
and other similar plants, where the epidermal layers of 
the stem fulfil the functions of leaves. But even in 
these plants leaf-like organs are present in some stage 
or another of the plant’s life. 
