FOREST SOCIETIES, 



545 



stand of trees the admitted light encourages a luxuriant growth 

 down the interior and even on the forest floor. 



1029. Lianas in the evergreen tropical forest. Lianas are 

 climbing vines or trees. Lianas occur in forests of temperate 

 regions, but they attain their highest development in the tropics. 



Fig. 500. 

 A liana in the Botanic Garden at Peradenyia. 



(After Schimper.) 



In size they vary from the more slender serpent-like twining stems 

 to immense trunks, coiled on the ground and around the boles 

 of forest trees, where they branch and ascend in tangled masses 

 into the forest canopy. 



