6 VINES 
much distinction between the last two groups, 
but there is a perceptible difference in move- 
ment and habit. 
The most noticeable thing about vines that 
climb by means of rootlets is the fact that, of all 
the vine family, they are the only plants that grow 
straight up and down; the others have an in- 
clination to twine or turn. It is wonderful the 
power these small rootlets have. Try to remove 
one of these vines from an object where it is estab- 
lished and you will find that the outer bark will 
tear from the rootlet before the latter will 
leave the object on which it is fastened. The 
English ivy is a good example of the rootlet 
climber. 
The majority of the vine family is supplied 
with tendrils of some description. These ten- 
drils are small, wiry stems which grow out from 
the shoot of the vine and grasp any object within 
reach. In some cases these tendrils are curled 
like a corkscrew; only they will be twisted half 
one way and half in the reverse direction. This 
is a great protection to the plant in the event of 
heavy winds and storms which would tend to 
break them down if there was not something to 
relieve the strain. A springy tendril gives and 
takes like a piece of elastic and thus lessens the 
