6 WONDERS OF PLANT LIFE 



These organs are among some of the most wonder- 

 ful in the plant world. One interesting British 

 plant producing tendrils is the White Bryony, a 

 common hedgerow species. In this case the 

 climbing organs are large, sometimes extending 

 to four or five inches in length. The means by 

 which the tendrils secure a hold, and then twist 

 themselves into the permanent position, offer a 

 peculiarly fascinating study. Prior to their attach- 

 ment to any object, the processes maintain a 

 curious swaying movement, which must increase 

 the probability of their coming into contact with 

 a support. Directly the tip of the tendril is within 

 reach of some object it begins to entwine itself 

 without delay. In the space of a few minutes, 

 supposing the conditions to be favourable to 

 rapid growth, the slender thread has started to 

 encircle the support. The underlying cause seems 

 to be partly in the stimulating influence induced 

 by the light rubbing of the under side of the 

 tendril against the object. When the tendril is 

 at its greatest period of activity it may be induced 

 to curl round almost any object which is offered 

 to it. 



A pencil, or the little finger, passed gently 

 along the inner side of the organ will cause it 

 to twine around the support, the slight rubbing 



