BKOOM-KAPE. 



' Orobanche major. Nat. Ord., Oroban- 

 chucea. , 



HE extraordinary-looking 1 plant 

 here presented to us is by 

 no means uncommon, though 

 the singularity of the colouring 

 would lead one at first sight 

 .'; to suppose that it is merely 

 some dead and withering plant 

 .: amongst the surrounding ver- 

 dure, and thus it would natu- 

 rally get overlooked. A closer 

 examination will, however, 

 amply repay us, as the plant 

 is full of quaint interest, and 

 what at first glance seemed a 

 mere dingy brown mass will 

 reveal itself as a long line 

 or spike of grotesquely-shaped 

 flowers. Another curious 

 feature is that the plant does not grow directly from 

 the earth, but is parasitic on the roots of other 

 plants. The plant on which it more especially grows 

 is the common broom, but it may also be found on the 

 furze and other leguminous or pea-flower plants. The 

 stem of the broom-rape is from a foot to a foot and a half 



