Half-hours with the microscope : being a popular guide to the use of the microscope as a means of amusement and instruction / illustrated from nature by Tuffen West.

  • Tuffen West
Date:
[1875?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Half-hours with the microscope : being a popular guide to the use of the microscope as a means of amusement and instruction / illustrated from nature by Tuffen West. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    PI. 1). The object of this tissue is, evidently, to allow of the existence of a large quantity of air in the spaces between the cells; by which means the stem of the plant is lightened, and it is better adapted for growth in water. If the leaf of any plant is examined, it will be found that on the external surface there is a thin layer, called, after the thin external membrane in animals, the “epidermis.” This layer is composed of very minute cells—smaller than those in other parts of the plant, and when placed under the Microscope, ])re.sents a variety of forms (Figs. 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, PI. 2) of cellular tissue. There is, however, a peculiar structure in this layer, which is found on the outside of all parts of plants, which demands attention. In the midst of the tissue, at very varying distances, are placed little openings, having a semilunar cell on each side. These open- ings are called “ stomates,” and can be well seen in the leaf of the hyacinth, where the cells of the epi- dermis are transparent; but the little cells which form the stomate are filled with green colouring- matter (Fig. 37, PI. 2). Tlie stomates vary very much in size and in numbers. They are found in larger numbers on the lower than on the upper side of leaves. In the common water-cress they are very small, and the cells of the epidermis are sinuous (Fig. 38, PI. 2). The stomates are found on all plants having an epidermis. In Figs. 39 and 41 they are rejiresented from the wheat and the aloe. In the latter jilant the cells of the cuticle are very much thickened. They can also be seen on the cuticle of the fruit (Fig. 231, PI. 8) and the petals. This part of the plant forms a beautiful object under the hlicroscope. Tlie petal of the common scarlet geranium (^Pelargonium) affords a beautiful instance of the way in which the cells of plants