12 HEDWIG ON THE ORGANS OF 



(as In the pink) precisely in the middle of the op- 

 posite sides ; but I have also observed communi- 

 cations of these vessels, with the upper and lower 

 extremities of the areas. 



In some plants these areas are, comparatively 

 speaking, of a considerable size ; as for instance in 

 the common and male polypody, in the red lily, 

 (Lilium bulbiferum) &c. The leaves of these 

 plants, especially their under surfaces, when seen 

 through a magnifier of but moderate power, exhi- 

 bit them in the shape of elevated points, or in 

 the appearance of small glittering pearls. If the 

 separation of the cuticle be well performed, the 

 lateral shades upon it, which may be observed by 

 the help of a good microscope, will discover an 

 elevation of the central part of the areas, and the 

 margin of the oblong aperture will appear to have 

 a considerable microscopical latitude. From this 

 circumstance, I conclude that the two laminae of 

 the cuticle in the area do not lie close together, as 

 is the case in the interstices of the ramifications of 

 the ducts, but form a kind of receptacle for the 

 perspirable matter ; for, that the tender covering of 



