18 



PLANT STUDIES 



carried so far that most of the part wliieli is covered is 

 but a stem (petiole) for tlie upper part (blade) wliicli is 

 exposed. 



lu many plants wliicli do not form close rosettes a gen- 



FlG. 11. A ^'rnup 1)1' li\c-f(ir-evcrs, illustrating the rosette habit and the light-relation. 

 In tliG njscfti's it will l]i' observed how the leaves are fitted toijjetlier ami diminish 

 in si/e jii\\;oils, so that exeessive shading is axoideil, 'I'lie indi\idual ]('a\rs also 

 lieconie naTlowcr wiirre they overlap, and are liroadol w liei)- they are exi>iised to 

 li^dit. Ill the liaekgnauid is a plant showine leaves in \eiy delinite \erliea] row s. 



eral rosettes a.rraugeinent of the leaves may he ohserved liy 

 l()o]\iii,L;' down upon them from abuve (see Fig. U], as in some 

 of (he etirly buttercups vhich are stj low tluit the hirge 

 lea.ves woulil seriously shade one another, except thiit the 

 lower leaves have longer petioles tlia,n the ujiper, and so 

 reach beyond the shadow. 



