166 JSotani5 



weeds. Alga? are of some value as fertilizers when 

 spread upon the fields ; certain kinds of kelp were 

 once the chief source of our soda supply. 



PARASITIC PLANTS. 



These are plants whiclx do not draw their chief 

 food supply directly from the earth or air, but lazily 

 settle upon other plants, and feed upon what their 

 more industrious neighbors have converted into food 

 stuff. Plant idlers and paupers these. 



The mistletoe is parasitic, as it grows frem a seed 

 which being dropped upon a branch takes root there, 

 and derives nutriment from the sap which it sucks 

 by its roots, forced into the fibres of the tree-host. 

 The mistletoe is not a true parasite, because it re- 

 tains its green leaves and by these gathers from the 

 air and digests a large part of its food. The mistletoe 

 matures a pure white wax-like berry, about as large 

 as a chick-pea, or big barley grain. It is an ever- 

 green plant, and our Saxon and Celtic ancestors con- 

 sidered it sacred to the gods and endued with mystic 

 power. 



A true parasite is the dodder, a slim vine which 

 climbs about small plants. It has clusters of little 

 pink flowers, which look exactly like tiny morning- 

 glories, or wild bind-weed blossoms. The stem is 

 like a long pink thread, and here and there puts out 



