322 GLIMPSES IX TO PLANT-LIFE 



trees and plants, t<i the very obvious disadvantage 

 of the latter. We can well understand how, in a 

 tropical forest, the weak -climbing plants strive to 

 pass out of the shaded recesses and force their way 

 to the tops of the slower growing trees, in order to 

 obtain the share of light, moisture, and air which 

 are essential to their existence. Very vividly has 

 the late Mr. Louis Stevenson described such a scene 

 in a tropical forest — 



" The hooked liana in his gin 

 Noosed his reluctant neighbours in ; 

 There the green murderer throve and spread, 

 Upon his smothering victims fed, 

 And wantoned on his climbing coil. 

 Contending roots fought for the soil 

 Like frighted demons ; with despair 

 Competing branches pushed for air." 

 * » * * * 



" So hushed the woodland warfare goes 

 Unceasing ; and the silent foes 

 Grapple and smother, strain and clasp 

 Without a cry, without a gasp." 



I may explain that the " murderer " alluded to 

 is a species of fig-tree which, in its early youth 

 climbs up the trunks of other trees, and by means 

 of its clasping roots so constricts their stems that 

 they ultimately perish. 



