324 



PLANT LIFE. 



moss. 3. Other plants adapt aerial roots to the absorption of 

 moisture from the air, as well as falling water. (See ^y 196.) 

 4. Many are surrounded by the bases of dead leaves, which 

 act as a sponge for absorbing water, and supply it gradually 

 to the stem or younger leaves. Living leaves, sometimes 

 singly, sometimes in clusters, form cuijlike or tubular struc- 



mm. 



Fir,. 3('iS. — Portion of a. \'ertical section of leaf of oleander, t'/, epidermis of upper 

 fact;; [■/', same of lower face with stumata, ,t. in deep pit^ with numerous hairs, t: 

 fal, palisade parenchyma in two layers; .*/. spoTij^y parenchyma; Ji , h' , hypoderma 

 adapted to water storage. Chloroplasts shown ouiy in left-liand side of figure. 

 Magnified about 175 diam. — After Van Tieghcm. 



tures, acting as \A'aler receptacles, from which it can 1)C 

 absorbed as re(}uire(l. Such adaj) tat ions occur chiefly in 

 epiphytes. (See®! 454-) 5- Many \eroi)hvtes dex'clop ex- 

 ceedingly long tap roots, Avliich ]>cnetrate the soil deeply 

 to a ])ernianent water suppl)'. 



