ASCENT OF WATER 



207 



elements absorbed only by the roots are found in the stem 

 and leaves. The water travels up the woody part of a stem. 

 This can be demonstrated by cutting a ring of bark (right 



03 



Fig. 243. — Branch of a tree from which a ring of harlc has been 

 cut, with its lower end dipping in water. 



down to the wood) from the stem or branch of a tree (see 

 fig. 243). In spite of this injury to the stem the water con- 

 tinues to travel up, as is evident from the fact that the leaves 

 attached above the ring-like cut do not wither (see next 

 chapter) and the base of the stem or root continues to absorb 

 water. It is not easy to prove that the salts dissolved in the 

 water "go up the wood with the water. But we canMllustrate 



