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The winter and spring rains soak into the 

 mortar of an old wall, and the horizontal roots of 

 the toad-flax, protected as they are between the 

 layers of bricks, have their store of moisture to 

 draw upon and keep the plant in health and 

 vigour. 



if a root of this small creeper can be found 

 within easy reach, it will repay a little careful ob- 

 servation through the summer. It possesses several 

 points of interest besides the delicate beauty of its 



IVY-LEAVED TOAD- FLAX. 



tiny lavender and yellow flowers. It is closely 

 related to the large snapdragons, but differs from 

 them in having a spurred flower. 



From its wonderfully prolific growth, this plant 

 is popularly known as mother of thousands, and its 

 drooping slender stems throwing a sort of veil over 

 crumbling masonry must have given rise to its 

 other familiar name of maiden hair. 



The leaves are like miniature ivy, and when 

 young are of a purple colour on the under side. 



