THE PARASITIC DODDER 117 



cellular tissue is here intact, being young. 

 This illustration is also taken from a photo- 

 micrograph of 36 diameters ; the focal distance 

 was 36 inches ; and a 1-inch objective was 

 used. 



Dodder on Clover. 



The dodder is not only devoid of roots and 

 leaves in the strict sense, but is destitute of 

 green colouring matter, the substance which 

 helps to elaborate the food of plants, and 

 occurs so abundantly in clover, from which 

 dodder draws its nutriment. It does not 

 possess any of the small mouths or organs of 

 transpiration possessed by ordinary plants. 



It is also remarkable in another respect. It 

 is generally agreed that dodders produce an 

 acrid and purgative juice, detrimental to flocks 

 and herds. The question naturally arises, 

 Where do they obtain these injurious principles ? 

 It is certainly singular that a parasitic plant 

 should be capable of elaborating acrid juices 

 from the sweet non-acrid sap of its host. 



