352 



FIELD AND WOODLAND PLANTS 



is not only a parasite, deriving nourishment from the roots of trees, 

 but is also a carnivorous species, feeding on minute animals which 

 are captured and digested by its pecuhar leaves ; and tliercfore 

 it may be conveniently considered here. 



The whole plant is of a fleshy character, and lives entirely 

 underground, attached to the roots of the Hazel, Elm, or other 

 tree, except during April and May, when it sends up tliick flowering 

 stems, from four to ten inches high, bearing a few broad, fleshy 

 scales which gradually pass into bracts, and a one-sided spike or 

 raceme of flowers. The stem and scales above ground are of a 

 pale rose colour, and the flowers are either 

 brown, flesh-colour or slightly bluish. The 

 latter are numerous, closely placed, and 

 either sessile or shortly stalked. The calyx 

 is bell-shaped, nearly half an inch long, 

 with four broad lobes ; and the corolla, which 

 is about half as long again as the calyx, is 

 distinctly lipped. 



The whole plant is devoid of chlorophyll, 

 and consequently has not the power of build- 

 ing up organic comi^ounds after the manner 

 of green plants ; and, being parasitic on the 

 roots of trees, it derives but little ox'ganic 

 material from its host. To compensate for 

 this the underground portion is so constructed 

 that it can captiue minute animals which 

 exist in the soil, and has the power of digesting 

 them and of absorbing the products of digestion. 



The underground stems are quite white, and are thickly covered 

 with broad, cordate, fleshy leaves that closely overlap one another. 

 There appears to be nothing very remarkable in these underground 

 leaves until one has been removed from the stem and closely ex- 

 amined ; and then we find that what appears to be the apex of the 

 leaf is really its middle ; and that what seems to be, at first sight, 

 the under surface, is really an extension of the upper side ; for the 

 leaf is bent backwards in such a manner as to bring its apex close 

 to the stem, immediately below its base. This pecuhar folding of 

 the leaf results in the formation of an irregular cavity, and the tip 

 of the leaf, brought close to its base, is curled upward, close to the 

 stem, in such a way as to form a little canal, with several small 

 openings by wliich the cavity may be reached. It wiU not be easy 



Longitudinal Sec- 

 tion fENLARGED) 

 THKOUGH A LEAP 

 OP THE TOOTH- 

 WORT. 



