AUTUMN IN THE WOODS 



339 



t!iat the Strawberry Tree is not indigenous to England, and is 

 seldom seen outside jjarks and gardens ; but it grows wild in 

 Ireland, and is very abundant round Killarney and in other parts. 



In conclusion, we must note one autumn flower of the woods 

 whicli is exceedingly common — that of the Ivy (Hedera Helix), be- 

 longing to the order Araliacece. The Ivy is an evergreen climber, 

 fixing itself by means of little rootlike suckers attached to the main 

 stem and its brandies, 

 while the lower branches 

 trail along the ground. 

 The leaves are thick and 

 glossy, usually of a deep 

 green colour, but often 

 beautifully variegated. 

 Those attached to the 

 trailing and climbing stems 

 have three or five lobes, 

 are always turned with one 

 surface towards the light, 

 and are so arranged as to 

 obtain the maximum of 

 light, the less exposed 

 leaves below catching the 

 rays which pass between 

 the lobes of those which are 

 more favourably situated. 



The branches of the 

 tree do not, as a rule, 

 produce flowers as long 

 as they are able to climb ; 



but as soon as they reach the summit of the ti'ee or wall to which 

 they cling, or reach a situation where there is a sufficient abundance 

 of light and aii', they change their character in a remarkable way. 

 They now become bushy, cease to produce suckers, and give rise 

 to imdivided leaves that turn in all directions for light and aii-. 

 At the tip of each twig is formed a cluster of yellowish-green 

 flowers, azTanged in a short raceme or in an umbel. These flowers 

 have an inconspicuous calyx which forms a border lound the 

 middle of the ovary, and five short petals. There are also five 

 stamens, and united styles. The fruit is a smooth, black berry, 

 containing from two to five seeds. 



z2 



The Strawberry Tree in flower, with the 

 Fruits (almost ripe) op the previous year. 



