1894.] Absorption of Water by Green Parts. 139 
cludes: ‘‘There are ample reasons for believing that dew and 
rain are under certain circumstances absorbed and utilized to 
supplement the root supply.” ; 
Whatever may be thought of the relationship of Henslow’s 
experiments to his conclusion, this much seems to be clearly 
shown by the former, that cut shoots do absorb water through 
their green parts. Many of his experiments have been re- 
peated with results similar to his.? But when very similar 
sorption of water through their green parts, and that no 
conclusions can be safely drawn from results in the one case, 
as to the conditions in the other. : 
In order to test Henslow’s conclusions, and to contribute 
the settlement of this problem, I have carried out a rather 
elaborate series of experiments; and although the results are 
= so complete and positive as was hoped, they nevertheless 
ave value in this direction. 
In experimenting upon entire plants some method of pre- 
venting access of 
can be 
to 
can be further secured by winding 
- The folds of the rubber may then be 
beneath the pot and tied. The result can bea 
ily injurious t t 10 and this was the 
Method used ; J o the plant,!%a 
and kept on it 
As also : 
Plants toon 1 Burt in the paper mentioned in foot note 6. 
€nd. On the the, for weeks or even months have been healthy and clean at 
bber didtine > er hand, there sometimes appeared a sudden and very marked 
tink great] At the contact of rubber and stem, the latter would turn 
is worth y and become dry. I could find no constancy in its appear- 
im Urse study. All such plants were of course at once rejected. Late 
P88 through plone ents, it was found that the rubber allows water vapor 
rey irce cannot} Pecially when stretched, but it is believed that any error from 
8reat enough to materiall y affect th y of the results 
