UP IN THE TREES. 203 



downwards for yards, clinging so tightly that 

 they mould themselves as it were to every little 

 channel and roughness of the bark. At the end 

 is a green point about half an inch in length 

 which is peculiarly sensitive and such a luscious 

 morsel to cockroaches that the plant, as we have 

 already seen, has in many cases provided a garrison 

 to protect it When the plant has fastened itself 

 securely, more aerial .roots are produced which 

 go wandering in every direction, sometimes run- 

 ning among the creepers, the roots of ferns, over 

 the mosses, or hanging downward without any 

 attachment whatever. If there is another branch 

 near the one on which they sit they grow towards 

 it, and thus secure a second hold in case of accident 

 to the first. The benefit to be derived from this 

 can easily be seen when a branch dies and begins 

 to decay. Then the sensitive aerial roots seem 

 to appreciate what is about to happen and loose 

 their hold. The sensitive points turn away in 

 apparent disgust, the whole plant shrinks from 

 what is poisonous to it, and will rather allow 

 itself to fall into the midst of the thicket below 

 than run the risk of further contamination. 

 Then comes in the advantage of having a 

 second perch which has perhaps remained healthy. 

 As the plant looses itself from the one, it 



