xxii Transactions of the Boyal Society of South Africa. 
the exposed parts resembling small pebbles, so that this plant may be 
classed amongst the so-called mimicry-plants." The structure of the 
leaves is adapted to the peculiar mode of life of the plant. The truncate 
apex is without chlorophyll, thus forming a " window," through which 
light can reach by way of the central transparent tissue, the assimilating 
tissue which extends to the underground basal parts of the leaves. 
2. On the Absorption of Water by the Aerial Organs of some Suc- 
culents." The author describes numerous experiments from which he has 
drawn the following conclusions : Mesembrianthemum harhatum and Ana- 
campseros fiamentosa 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. 
Mr. E. P. Phillips read a " Note on an Abnormal Seedling of Widdring- 
tonia cupressoides and a Brief Account of the Vascular System of the 
Normal Seedling," by H. S. Morris. 
Mr. Morris showed a sketch of a twin seedling, the two halves of 
which were only free from one another for a very short distance above 
and below. 
A second drawing, from a section of the hypocotyl, indicated that the 
union was a very intimate one, probably dating from the earliest stage 
of proembryo formation. The vascular systems of the twins were, how- 
ever, entirely separate and distinct throughout, and their structure agreed 
with that found in normal seedlings. 
It was further found that the vascular system of the normal seedlings 
differed essentially from that recently described in other species of the 
genus, indicating a greater simplicity of structure in Widdringtonia 
cupressoides. 
Dr. E. Marloth read a paper : " Some New South African Succulents 
(Part II.)." 
Among the succulents described in this paper are a few with a very 
peculiar structure of their leaves. Last year he exhibited a species of 
Bulbine with window -leaves, pointing out that such a structure had not 
been observed as yet on any other plant. The very succulent, nearly egg- 
shaped leaves of the plant remain embedded in the ground, hence the 
blunt apex only becomes visible. Here the green tissue is absent, being 
confined to the sides of the leaf. As the sides are surrounded by soil the 
light cannot reach them in the ordinary way, but only by entering through 
the window at the apex, illuminating the leaf from within. 
Since then the writer found five other species of plants with such 
window-leaves. They are all stemless succulents, their leaves remaining 
embedded in the ground and showing only the flat or convex apex, which 
