A NATURALIST IN BRAZIL 



but woolly, thread-like growths from five to six feet in length, 

 which are covered with silver-grey scales. If we examine these 

 growths more closely, we realize that the sharply-pointed lateral 

 hairs are metamorphosed leaves, and at certain seasons we shall 

 even find small, slender flowers, like tiny nails (Fig. 7). Moisture is 

 absorbed by the epithelium of the Greybeard's threads, and so one 

 of these threads, even if it should be blown (for example) on to a 

 telegraph-wire, is able to continue to grow there; and as a matter 

 of fact I often saw — and particularly in Sao Paulo — small crinkled 

 balls of this Bromelia growing on the telegraph-wires; a most 

 singular spectacle. 



As we have seen, the epiphytic plants are not parasites; they do 

 not injure the tree on which they grow. But there are genuine para- 

 sites in the tropics which belong to the Mistletoe family. Their 

 life-history resembles that of our mistletoe. The berries of the 

 plants are eaten by birds, and sown by the birds in the branches of 

 the trees. The droppings of the birds might suffice to make the 

 berries adhere, but as a matter of fact the fruit contains a special 

 adhesive substance. First of all it forms a sort of "sucker" or adhesive 

 shield, which affixes itself firmly to the supporting bough ; and there 

 the so-called "sinkers" grow, like the teeth of a rake, down into the 

 substance of the bough. Subsequently lateral roots are developed; 

 these creep along under the bark, and send down fresh sinkers, and 

 at last the plant produces boughs, leaves, and berries. But whereas 

 the flowers of our mistletoe are imperceptible, their Brazilian relatives 

 are splendid blossoms of glowing red or yellow, so that the tangle 

 of branches looks as though it were bursting into flame. 



The sinkers suck the nutriment needed by the plant from the 

 bough upon which it is seated. Many species are even able to press 

 their hosts into their service. They excrete an irritating fluid into 

 the wounds made by their sinkers, which stimulates the bough to 

 a morbid increase of growth. If the parasite falls off, a sort of curly, 

 fungoid excrescence is left, which is known as Rosa de madeira. 



Even on the roots of the trees we may find the most singular 

 parasites, which have lost not only their leaves, but every trace of 

 green. Their appearance reminds one of the tapeworm, which is 

 able to dispense with an intestine, for in the intestine of its host it 

 is bathed in half-digested, liquid food, which it simply absorbs 

 through its skin. In the forests of Rio de Janeiro one may often find, 

 in shady places, club-shaped or pointed growths emerging from the 

 ground, in colour a fine rose-pink or red, and crinkled on the surface. 



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