140 TENDEIL-BEARERS. Chap. IV. 



however, is greater when the sub-peduncle (C) does 

 not bear many flower-buds. The common peduncle 

 (A) has not the power of clasping a support, nor has 

 the corresponding part of a true tendril. The flower- 

 tendril (B) is always longer than the sub-peduncle (C) 

 and has a scale at its base ; it sometimes bifurcates, 

 and therefore corresponds in every detail with the 

 longer scale-bearing branch (B, fig. 9) of the true 

 tendril. It is, however, inclined backwards from the 

 sub-peduncle (C), or stands at right angles with it, 

 and is thus adapted to aid in carrying the future 

 bunch of grapes. When rubbed, it curves and sub- 

 sequently straightens itself ; and it can, as is shown in 

 the drawing, securely clasp a support. I have seen 

 an object as soft as a young vine-leaf caught by 

 one. 



The lower and naked part of the sub-peduncle (C) 

 is likewise slightly sensitive to a rub, and I have seen 

 it bent round a stick and even partly round a leaf 

 with which it had come into contact. That the sub- 

 peduncle has the same nature as the corresponding 

 branch of an ordinary tendril, is well shown when it 

 bears only a few flowers ; for in this case it becomes 

 less branched, increases in length, and gains both 

 in sensitiveness and in the power of spontaneous 

 movement. I have twice seen sub-peduncles which 

 bore from thirty to forty flower-buds, and which had 

 become considerably elongated and were completely 

 wound round sticks, exactly like true tendrils. The 

 whole length of another sub-peduncle, bearing onl} 



