THE STEM 



159 



one of these bundles with its surrounding fundamental 

 tissue, from the stem of maize, is shown very much 

 magnified in fig. 44.^ Here it is clearly seen that the 

 bundle consists of different vessels, with spiral, net- 

 like, or ring-shaped thickenings, etc., sieve-tubes, and 

 also fibres ; whereas the surrounding tissue consists of 

 ordinary cells. 



This structure of the monocotyledonous stem is 



Fig. 44. 



more clearly seen if a section of it is placed for a time 

 in a suitable stain, say a solution of fuchsin. Then, 

 as in fig. 45, I., the bundles in the transverse section 

 will appear as red spots on the colourless ground of the 

 fundamental tissue. 



1 A transverse and longitudinal section has been taken of the stem of 

 maize, showing a single vascular bundle together with the surrounding 

 fundamental tissue. The large aperture, surrounded by small ones, is 

 the opening of a very large vessel. A number of smaller vessels are cut 

 longitudinally. 



