CLIMBING PLANTS 



31 



or swamp in which it grows, while the rigid leaves further assist 

 l)y catching in the angles of surrounding stems. 



Another good example is to be seen in the common Goose-grass 

 or Cleavers (G. aparine) of our hedgerows, which also reaches a 

 height of four or five feet, and clings very effectually by means 

 of the hooked bristles of its stems and leaves. 



The Marsh Speedwell 

 {V eronica sc alellata). 

 though it grows to a 

 height of only one foot, 

 is too weak to stand erect 

 without sujjport, and it 

 has quite a novel method 

 of securing the aid of the 

 plants among which it 

 grows. Its two topmost 

 leaves at first stand erect 

 over the terminal bud, 

 so that they are easily 

 pushed through the spaces 

 in the surrounding herb- 

 age as the stem lengthens. 

 They then diverge, and 

 even turn slightly down- 

 wards, thus forming two 

 supporting arms, the hold- 

 ing power of which is 

 further increased by the 

 down-turned teeth of theu' 

 margins. This process is 



repeated by the new pairs of leaves formed at the growing 

 summit of the stem, with the result that the plant easily retains 

 the erect position. 



The Wild Eoses and Brambles growing in the hedgerows support 

 themselves among the other slirubby growths by the interlacing 

 of their stems, but are also greatly aided by the abundance of 

 prickles with which these stems are armed. The prickles, exen if 

 erect, would afford considerable assistance in this respect ; but it 

 may be observed that they are generally directed downwards, and 

 often very distinctly curved in this direction, and so serve to suspend 

 the weak stems at numerous points. 



PRICKLES OP THE WILD PiOSE. 



