402 



THE UNIVERSE. 



ill absorption; watering the leaves of certain plants makes 

 them grow with as much rapidity as if their roots were 

 moistened. Some spongy plants, gorged with aqueous 

 fluid, seem to draw their nourishment exclusively from 



222. Ice-plant — Mcsenibryanthcnmm crystallinum (Linnasus). 



the atmosphere. It is thus that in the burning days of 

 summer I have found carpets of ice-plants on the most 

 arid rocks in Greece. Although it had not rained for a 

 month, these plants dis^jlayed a remarkable freshness, and 

 their leafage Avas none the less covered with a coating of 

 icicles!^ 



The absorption effected by the leaves was known to the 



^ The glacial Mesembryantliemum crystallimim is a small herbaceous plaut well 

 known iu science on account of its strange appearance. It has literally the look 

 of a plant covered with drops of frozen water. This appearance is due to exces- 

 sive development of all the superficial cells of the plant, which are like so many 

 small bags filled with limpid water. 



