THE AMERICAN BOTANIST 



47 



Others and in a state of easy assimilation. Several like those 

 listed above are of high ordinal relations — aristocrats that have 

 betaken themselves to reprehensible practices. 



In course of time, for some unknown reason, the sapro- 

 phyte has ceased to produce true leaves. It cannot, however, 



entirely shake off hereditary attributes and so it exhibits in 

 place of these, certain functionless scales devoid of chlorophyll. 

 Its nutriment is absorbed entirely through the roots, or through 

 peculiar organs analagous thereto. It is now more than sus- 

 pected that the close relation between host and saprophyte is, 

 at least in some cases, beneficial to the former, a relation per- 



The Indian Pipe or Corpse Plant, 



