42 WILD FLOWEHS OF 



somewhat different from a human one. Dr. JOHNSON 

 defines a parasite to be " one that frequents rich 

 men's tables, and earns his welcome by flattery;" 

 and SHAKSPEAHE denominates parasites as 



" Most smiling smooth detested parasites 

 Courteous destroyers, affable wolves, meek bears." 



But our vegetable parasites, when they have once 

 taken up their post, have no need to be " affable 

 wolves," as they cannot be got rid of by any process ; 

 but rather tyrants than parasites, prey upon the tree 

 they have taken possession of, and retain their old till 

 death. Epiphytes are very common among vegetables, 

 the greater number of the Lichen tribe being so, 

 as well as many of the fungi ; but it is rather 

 uncommon to find a true parasite, the epiphytes 

 only living upon other plants as a nidus, and not 

 deriving subsistence from them, as is the case with 

 the Mistletoe. 



Some have considered the ivy to be a parasite, but 

 in fact it takes a tree as a fulcrum or prop only, and 

 merely exemplifies the conduct of those good-natured 

 friends who will kill you with their officiousness, 

 sooner than deprive themselves of the pleasure of 

 your company. The Qrobcmclieos and the Lathrcea 

 sgruamaria are parasitical upon roots, while the Listera 

 nidus-avis and Monotropa liypopitys^ probably partially 

 parasitical, or apparently in connection with diseased 

 growth, yet may chiefly shelter themselves among the 

 roots of trees as a secure asylum, their very nature 

 demanding shade and obscurity. It is different with 

 the Mistletoe, and apparently also with a little local 

 phenogamous plant, called Dodder (Cuscutd), which 

 are, perhaps, the only true stem-parasites among 



