Io6 Plants atid their Ways in South Africa 



protecting its stomata. The cells bordering the stomata over- 

 arch, forming a little hut with an opening at the top (Fig. 89), 

 so small that the vapour can pass 

 out but a drop of rain will not run 

 in. 



The heaths have small needle- 

 shaped leaves ; their edges are rolled 

 back so as to form partially enclosed 

 channels on the under side where 



the stomata are placed. These 

 Fig. 89. — Section oi sugar-bush , , . , . . 



leaf through a stoma: a, the channels are protected by a lining 

 guard-cell; ^.projecting dome; of hairs, making sometimes a close 



r, thick cuticle. ~^ 



white mat. Many plants have 

 strongly ribbed stems ; between which the stomata are placed, 

 so that transpiration is lessened. 



^>:-;K7iy''i^'"'^^''^z?^'^?:'''-:"^' 



W'^"'<9ff-!W^'^; 



Fig. 90. — Crmsiila pvr.nui.lnln, L. 



Our finest heaths are found in the Caledon and Ri\ersdale 



