Absorption of Water by some Succulents. 
401 
water, while another side-branch, together with tlie stem bearing them, 
remained exposed to the air, the cut stem being carefully sealed. Within 
three days some of the leaves of the branch in air showed signs of 
becoming flaccid. These signs have increased daily, so that it is clear 
that the water lost by transpiration of the branch in air cannot be made 
good by the other branch immersed in water. The same result was 
obtained with Crassula multiflora, Schonl. et Bak. fil., which also possesses 
marginal papillae on the leaves. 
Summary. — Mesembrianthemum barbatum and Anacampseros filamentosa 
cannot absorb any appreciable quantity of water through their aerial 
organs. Crassula cymosa can do so to a small extent, which, however, 
cannot be of any practical importance under natural conditions. The 
marginal papillae of this species are certainly not water-absorbing organs. 
The experiments throw doubts on the view that many other South African 
succulents can absorb by means of their aerial organs water of sufficient 
quantity to make good loss by transpiration. 
