94 WONDERS OF PLANT LIFE 



perhaps attach too much importance to the 

 likeness. 



Far more remarkable than the instances of 

 possible mimicry already mentioned are the large 

 number of plants bearing a more or less striking 

 resemblance to the Stinging Nettle, which, we 

 must remember, is one of the best protected 

 species in this country. This simulation is seen 

 to its greatest advantage in the case of the so- 

 called White Dead-Nettie (Lamium], a plant 

 which is not even remotely allied to the Stinging 

 Nettle. Especially is the likeness to be observed 

 in the early stages of growth, before the white 

 blossoms of the Lamium have been developed. 

 Indeed, it is only after a critical examination 

 that it is possible to tell the difference between 

 the two plants, when, as is often the case, they 

 are growing closely together. It is surely not an 

 unreasonable supposition to suggest that brows- 

 ing animals, and possibly even insect larvae, may 

 be deceived, and may pass over the harmless 

 plant under the impression that it is the baneful 

 one. At any rate, after a few experiences with 

 the Stinging Nettle, one can hardly imagine an 

 observant creature venturing to meddle with 

 anything that at all looked like the obnoxious 

 weed. As has been suggested, there are quite a 



