THE VASCULAR TISSUES. 



75 



The function of the pith is to form a highlj- elastic tissue 

 which reduces the weight of the stem, and acts as a sort of 

 " cushion " to the central cylinder. At times, however, the pith- 



o o ^ 

 ° ^ 



Fig. 58. — Older Cells of the Pith of Corylus avellana. Note the 

 simple "pit" both in surface view and in section. 



Pig. 59. — Pith-elements from the Stem of Vinra major. — a. Cell- 

 wall ; p, simple pits. 



cells break down, leaving the centre of the stem hollow (Bambusa), 

 except at the " nodes." The pith is in no sense of the term a 

 conducting tissue. 



