4<5 WONDERS OF PLANT LIFE 



considerable rate, and finally comes into contact 

 with a suitable plant. 



The particular species under consideration is 

 very partial to furze and heather. At once the 

 character of the plant is revealed ; the root dries 

 up, the harmless-looking threads produce suckers 

 at the points of contact, and entwine themselves 

 round the stems of the unfortunate plant selected 

 as a victim. From thenceforward the red shoots 

 of the Dodder increase at an incredible rate, 

 thrusting out in all directions, and, wherever 

 possible, affixing the suckers which drain away 

 the life from the miserable host. About July, 

 the Dodder develops its clusters of small white 

 flowers, and soon afterwards the red filaments 

 decrease in the vigour of their growth, and the 

 parasite finally disappears. Quite often the plant 

 which has been attacked is so miserably weakened 

 that it perishes before the Dodder ; but the 

 activities of the parasite are such that it quickly 

 transfers its operations to any adjoining specimen 

 which may be suitable for its purpose. As show- 

 ing what a formidable enemy the Dodder may be 

 to the plant, even the hardy furze bushes not 

 infrequently fall victims to the onslaughts of the 

 parasite. 



Of root parasites there are two very distinct 



