. Lessons in botany. Botany. 324 ECOLOG V. full exposure to the sun and wind, have served to lessen its influence and importance. But where protected from the wind, to a large extent from the heat of the sun, and supplied with a suitable moisture condition, the sphagnum flourishes. It grows either alone in shallow water, en- croaching more and more on the centre of the basin, or follows after and anchors among water-loving grasses and carices. In some cases it may thus largely cover such earlier formations. An examination of the sphagnum plant shows us how well it is adapted to flourish under
. Lessons in botany. Botany. 324 ECOLOG V. full exposure to the sun and wind, have served to lessen its influence and importance. But where protected from the wind, to a large extent from the heat of the sun, and supplied with a suitable moisture condition, the sphagnum flourishes. It grows either alone in shallow water, en- croaching more and more on the centre of the basin, or follows after and anchors among water-loving grasses and carices. In some cases it may thus largely cover such earlier formations. An examination of the sphagnum plant shows us how well it is adapted to flourish under such con- ditions. The main axis of the plant bears lateral branches nearly at right angles, but with a graceful downward sweep at the extremity. These pri- mary lateral branches bear secondary branches, which arise, usually several, from near the point of attachment to the main axis. They hang down- ward, overlap on those below, and* completely cover the main axis or stem. The leaves of sphagnum are peculiarly adapted for the purpose of taking up quantities of water. Not all the cells of the leaf are green, but alternate rows of cells become broadened, lose their chlorophyll, and their protoplasm collapses on the inner faces of the cell walls in such a way as to form thickened lines, giving a peculiar sculpturing effect to them. Perforations also take place in the walls. These. Fig. 267. Two fruiting plants of sphagnum. (From Kerner and Oliver.) â. Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrations may not perfectly resemble the original Atkinson, George Francis, 1854-1918. New York, H. Holt and company
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