150 TENDBIL-BEARERS. Chap. IV. 



family, as in the last, the tendrils are modified flower- 

 peduncles. In the present plant the two lateral 

 branches of the main flower-peduncle have been con- 

 verted into a pair of tendrils, corresponding with the 

 single " flower-tendril " of the common vine. The 

 main peduncle is thin, stiff, and from 3 to 4J inches in 

 length. Near the summit, above two little bracts, it 

 divides into three branches. The middle one divides 



Fig. 12. 



Cardiospermum halicacdbum. 



Upper part of the flower-peduncle with its two tendrils. 



and re-divides, and bears the flowers ; ultimately it 

 grows half as long again as the two other modified 

 branches. These latter are the tendrils ; they are at 

 first thicker and longer than the middle branch, but 

 never become more than an inch in length. They 

 taper to a point and are flattened, with the lower 

 clasping surface destitute of hairs. At first they project 

 straight up; but soon diverging, spontaneously curl 

 downwards so as to become symmetrically and elegantly 

 hooked, as represented in the diagram. They are now, 

 whilst the flower-buds are still small, ready for 

 action. 



