102 TENDRIL-BEARERS. Chap. 1IL 



into. The tendrils failed to attach themselves to a 

 brick wall. 



I infer from the adherence of the fibres to the discs 

 or balls, that these secrete some resinous adhesive 

 matter; and more especially from such fibres becoming 

 loose if immersed in sulphuric ether. This fluid like- 

 wise removes small, brown, glistening points which can 

 generally be seen on the surfaces of the older discs. 

 If the hooked extremities of the tendrils do not touch 

 anything, discs, as far as I have seen, are never 

 formed;* but temporary contact during a moderate 

 time suffices to cause their development. I have seen 

 eight discs formed on the same tendril. After their 

 development the tendrils contract spirally, and become 

 woody and very strong. A tendril in this state sup- 

 ported nearly seven ounces, and would apparently have 

 supported a considerably greater weight, had not the 

 fibres of flax to which the discs were attached yielded. 



From the facts now given, we may infer that though 

 the tendrils of this Bignonia can occasionally adhere 

 to smooth cylindrical sticks and often to rugged bark, 

 yet that they are specially adapted to climb trees 

 clothed with lichens, mosses, or other such productions ; 

 and I hear from Professor Asa Gray that the Poli/podium 

 incanum abounds on the forest-trees in the districts of 



* Fiitz Midler states (ibid. p. object, terminate in smooth shining 



348) that m South Brazil the discs. These, however, after ad- 



trilid tendrils of Haplolophium, hering to any object, sometimes 



(one of the Bignoniacese) without become considerably enlarged, 

 having come into contact with any 



