9 2 



NATURE < >1 ; TENDRILS 



vine without danger of breaking. This same device is copied 

 in making the attachment of the wires to the telephones and 

 other pieces of apparatus. From many standpoints the tendril 

 bearing stem is an admirable one. It Is evident that such stems 

 can reach the light more directly and economically than twiners. 

 This doubtless accounts for their greater abundance and common 



occurrence. It is also important to note thai the tendrils are 



Fig. 67 Fig. 68. 



Fig. 67. Tendrils of tlx- bur cucumber: ./. hooked tendrils in receptive 

 state. B, ;ii»i<;il portion of tendril coiled aboul a branch and the remain- 

 ing portion of the tendril forming reversed coils, thus drawing the vine t<> 

 the supporting branch. II. O. Hanson. 



Fig 68. Branch of Japanese ivy attached to wall by means of tendrils 

 with adhesive discs, II. 0. Hanson. 



especially abundanl at the end of the branches where they reach 

 out considerabl) beyond the young leaves. < >wing to the sway- 

 ing of the long free shool of the climber in the wind and the 

 nutations of the tendril and shool these sensitive organs are 

 broughl into contact with branch after branch and thus the vine 



