Mistletoe 



(80) 



Mites 



MISTLETOE. 



An interesting, semi-parasitic, shrubby ever- 

 green (ord. Loranthaceas) found growing on Apple, 

 Hawthorn, Lime, 1'opulus, species of Pyrus, 

 sometimes on the Oak (see p. 81) and many 

 other trees. The Mistletoe favours a somewhat moist 

 climate ; hence a difficulty is often experienced in 

 establishing it in a dry district. This difficulty is 

 considerably augmented by sowing immature seed. 



MITCHELLA. 



Creeping herbs (ord. Kubiaceai). Repens, the 

 only species introduced to this country, is a pretty 

 plant for the outdoor rockery ; it may be increased 

 by root division in spring, and is not particular as 

 to soil, as long as it is light and moist. 



Principal Species : 



repens, sum., hdy., wh. flushed pur., fragrant. 



Plwto : CtisscU if Company, Ltd 



MlSCANTHLS SINEXSIS (see p. 79). 



The fruits are not ripe until the end of February, 

 when they may be rubbed on to the under side of 

 clean young branches ; no cut is necessary, and the 

 seed will adhere to the bark by its gelatinous 

 envelope. Only two green cotyledons or seed leaves 

 are produced the first season, and growth is slow for 

 several years. The male and female flowers are 

 produced on different plants, necessitating several 

 colonies to. ensure a crop of berries. 



To rid a tree of established Mistletoe is almost a 

 hopeless task. Constant excision i? imperative. 

 (See also VISCUM.) 



jlliscnpetahlm (see Saxifraga). 

 Mistletoe Cactus (see Hhipsalis). 



MITELLA. 



Pretty little, white-flowered hardy herbs (ord. 

 Saxifrages), suitable for rockeries or borders in 

 a moist, peaty soil. They are propagated by divi- 

 sion, or rarely by seeds. They prefer a little shade. 



Principal Species : 



dipliylla, C", Ap., wh. renifonnia, pro^trata, 



mula. <i", Jo., wh. (sytis. and conlifolia). 



pentaudra, G", Mv., wh. 



MITES. 



These are popularly classed as insects, but strictly 

 i-peaking they are animals, closely related to 

 spiders. They differ from spiders in having the 

 abdomen closely joined to the body instead of con- 

 nected by a constricted passage. The troublesome 



