''DEFENCE, NOT DEFIANCE.'' 153 



plant into this defensive condition. The Broom 

 [Sarothainmis scopdriiis) has proceeded some distance 

 in the same direction, but has not yet succeeded in 

 effectually stiffening its leaves. Perhaps this is not 

 required, as the leaves secrete an objectionable sub- 

 stance instead. The Barberry commences life on 

 quite contrary principles to the Gorse, for its first 

 pair of leaves become spines^ from the axils of which 

 the next pair of true leaves shoot. 



The rank growth of the Gorse on every common, 

 haunted though it may be by rodents and ruminants, 

 proclaims the success which has attended its leaf- 

 transformation. But absolute success is not known 

 in this world, and the wily Gorse is no exception to 

 the general rule. A plant of which a more extended 

 notice will be taken hereafter, is to the Gorse more 

 than what Mordecai was to Haman — it has com- 

 pletely baffled and defeated it. I allude to the 

 Dodder. 



Many plants possess leaves whose edges curl and 

 stiffen into defensive spines, so that few or no brows- 

 ing animals will partake of them, especially if any 

 other vegetable food is at hand. The Thistles, Eryngo, 

 Teasels, etc., have adopted this plan to perfection — 

 the Holly to a fairly successful degree. For the 

 leaves of the latter are soft and succulent at first, and 

 therefore easily fed upon at that time. But the 

 Holly leaves happen to be soft when other and more 

 nutritious food is abundant, and so the attention of 



