^be ipilQdms of tbe l^ear 167 



rootlets, which work into the plant to which it 

 clings, and drink its food stuff. The pink blossoms 

 attract insects to the dodder's l:)ells to carry pollen 

 and fertilize its seeds. 



Long ago, no doubt, the dodder had green stem 

 and leaves, and climbed, as does a morning-glory ; 

 but as it by degrees took to living wpon the work of 

 other plants and ceased absorbing and digesting food 

 for itself, the leaves ceased to develop and the chlo- 

 rophyl no longer formed. 



We might take the dodder for the text of a little ser- 

 mon about idle people who will not work and insist 

 ujDon l^eing supported by other and better folk, never 

 caring if these are worn to death by the burden. 



The Indian pipes or beech-drops are all parasitic ; 

 their chlorophyl is gone, and their once green leaves 

 have turned to little bleached scales. There is good 

 Scripture for their being served that way. The one 

 unused talent must be taken away and given to him 

 who used five or ten talents well ! These pale idlers 

 under the pine trees and beeches were once good, 

 bus}^ members of the wintergreen family. 



Broom-rape or " l)room thief " is a parasitic plant, 

 with a tall strong stem, scales, and tiny bloom, all a 

 dull red-brown ; a " seedy "-looking plant-idler that 

 has taken to loafing round for its plant neighbors to 

 maintain. 



