436 



PROTECTION OF GREEN LEAVES AGAINST ATTACKS OF ANIMALS. 



points are excellently protected against the attacks of animals, scarcely requires to 

 be proved more in detail; however, it might be indicated by special mention of two 

 interesting examples. In the Southern Alps, in the neighbourhood of Monte Baldo, 

 and on the opposite mountains behind Vallarsa, a species of grass (Festuca alpestris, 

 see fig. 86 ^), is found here and there, whose rigid leaves, projecting in all directions, 



Fig. 115.— Group of Thistles (Cirsium nemorale). 



terminate in needle-shaped points. This grass is the plant most detested in the 

 whole district, and the shepherds try to destroy it by burning, wherever it appears 

 in quantity, since the grazing animals, when seeking other plants growing between 

 the patches of Festuca alpestris, cut their nostrils so severely that they often return 

 from their grazing in a bleeding condition. It is remarkable that when these grasses 

 can be easily uprooted, the grazing animals themselves bring about this destruction. 

 The Mat-grass {Nardihs stricta), when growing in the meadows, is seized low down 



