54 ON SOIL. 



sufficient portion of the sun's rays to elaborate the 

 juices of the plant. The truth is, that the roots of the 

 vine possess an extraordinary power of adapting them- 

 selves to any situation in which they may be planted, 

 provided it be a dry one. They will ramble in every 

 direction in search after food, and extract nourishment 

 from sources apparently the most barren. In short, 

 they are the best caterers that can possibly be ima- 

 gined, for they will grow, and even thrive luxuriantly, 

 where almost every other description of plant or tree 

 would inevitably starve. 



