THE BOOTS 47 



the seedling in place until it has found a host to 

 which it can fasten. As soon as this is accom- 

 plished, the soil root and the lower part of the 

 stem of the dodder dies away, leaving it entirely- 

 supported on the body of its host. 



* 

 52. Union of roots with fungi. Quite a large 



number of the higher plants form what are known 

 as mycorrhizas. A mycorrhiza is the structure which 

 results from the union of roots or absorbing organs 

 with the tubelike hyphse or threads of a mushroom 

 or mould in the soil. This union is of benefit to 

 both the fungus and the higher plant. In some 

 instances the fungus lives inside the root, and in 

 others it forms a layer of threads on the outside. 



If the smaller roots of the beech, oak, or any of 

 the pines are dug up, a number of short club-shaped 

 branches may be seen which are brownish in color. 

 These short branches are inhabited by fungi and are 

 mycorrhizas. A second example may be sought for 

 in the waxy white " Indian pipe " or " corpse plant " 

 (Monotropa) which grows in deep woods. Its short 

 bunches of curiously shaped roots are covered with 

 a layer of felt made up of the threads of the 

 fungus. The higher plant gets practically all of its 



