LEAVES OF BAPTISIA PERFOLIATA, 85 
next as much to the left, the seid in the og direction, and so on 
= bringing the leaves into a vertical position all on one side of the 
rizontal branch. It occurred to Mr. Ravenel that this vertical position 
of "the leaves was correlated with the remarkable alternate torsion of the 
axis, namely, that the leaves on the reclining branches were adjusting 
themselves, so as to present their two faces as ue d as possible to the 
ht, as is done xit those of the Compass Uil in a different way ; an 
stomata are so distributed because the leaves stand edgewise to the zenith, 
is a question. The fact is, that the two are thus correlated, and such 
Nomen is ordinarily essential to the well-being of the plant. It may 
be r , however, that the stomata do not manifestly appear until 
the leaf. is dw well developed; also that this distribution of the 
stomata is peculiar to the species in question. At least the leaves of 
B. australis and B. leucantha, which retain their horizontal position, are 
provided with stomata ouly on their lower face. The question next 
and 
cilicio in the Cambridge E Botanie Garden), the arrangement of the 
leaves at the base of the main stem is of the tristichous —— but that 
after the first or second cycle, especially on the branches, this c to 
the distichous order. The difference between B. perfoliata and its con- 
geners, therefore, is not in the normal arrangement of the leaves, but in 
the fusion of the axis and the distribution of the stomata, adopting the 
foliage of » vertical lee tion. 
The form of the leaves in Baptisia perfoliata is remarkably peculiar. 
Most of the species Nave e trifoliate leaves and a pair of stipules; this has, _ 
to all appearance, a simple and entire perfoliate leaf and no stipules. It 
is, however, a natural supposition that the apparently simple leaf consists 
either of a pair of stipules, or of such sti ro etm and a leaflet, connate into a 
rounded disk. This supposition Mr. Ravenel has just now had the good 
fortune to verify, by finding some abn aris soos of B. perfoliata, one of 
na I our ion. Most of its leaves are cordate, clasping 
ink 6 : nein | 
s es; and. 1atio t wi 
leaflet in the sinus! Mr. Ravenel remarks, that this is a manifest s 
towards his own B. stipulacea. But a per invalidates that aud 
although t the inflorescence and legume of the two are quite alike.— 
(From * Silliman's Journal,’ Dec. 1871, ei 462, 463.) 
