88 



DICOTYLEDONS 



of the midday sun is too strong not only for young shoots, but 

 also for grown-up plants, and many of tliem, therefore, protect 

 themselves against it by folding their leaves at that time (Acacia), 

 others by reflecting it from the shining surface of their leaves 

 (Mango), others again by seeking shelter in the shade of other 

 plants. Thus we find the plants growing in a wood to be arrang- 

 ed in about five different tiers according to their several need of 

 light. The full sunshine is enjoyed by the trees and the lianas 

 at their tops. Less light is wanted by shrubs which keep below 

 the trees and by epiphytic plants which perch on the branches 

 and trunks of the trees. In their shade grow herbs and ferns. 

 Below these crouch the mosses and other cryptogams. The low- 

 est and darkest place is occupied by the fungi, which require 

 hardly any light, leading a parasitical life in the leaf-mould or 

 humus at the bottom of the forest. 



4. Flowers. — On reaching the top of trees the Elephant 

 Climber assumes another mode of growth. The tip need no 



longer grow so quickly, for it 

 has brought the plant up to 

 the light. Branches are deve- 

 loped and flowers make their 

 appearance in the axils of the 

 leaves. They are arranged in 

 three-forked cymes, supported 

 by large, white, deciduous 

 bracts. The calyx consists of 

 five imbricated sepals of unequal size, and the corolla of five 

 gamopetalous petals, forming a large funnel or bell light-pink at 

 the border and dark-violet within. The lobes are folded inwards 

 and twisted in bud, and the marks of the five folds are visible 

 in the different colouring of the corolla. A little above the base 

 of the flower-tube rise five stamens of unequal lengths leaving 

 five narrow holes at their base, the entrances to a little chamber 

 in which we find the ovary tapering into a long style that rises 

 with its two-lobed globose stigma to the level of the anthers. 

 Tiill tlie corolla out of the calyx, and you will see the lower 

 chamber at the base of the corolla. The ovary is surrounded 



Fig. 85. — Flower of Ar(/yrcin. 



