344 OUR WOODLAND TREES. 
with the leaf lobes, and proceed through the latter 
to their pointed apices. From these principal 
veins there is a most beautiful system of con- 
torted veinlets reminding one as the leaf is held 
against the light, of the branching form of the 
Oak, and suggesting an endeavour, on the part of 
the Ivy leaf, to adapt its form to the noble Tree 
against whose trunk and branches it so often 
clings. Along the Ivy stem are the tufted fibres, 
by which it clings to its supporting objects. But 
when it is recumbent, it is not these fibres that 
are brought into requisition, but roots which 
spring from opposite the leafy axils. 
The late autumnal blossoming of the Ivy produces 
its clusters of flowery cymes—each flower five- 
petalled with five stamens and a pistil; and anon 
the rounded berries come, providing food for many 
of the woodland songsters, including blackbird 
and thrush, as well as for the swift-winged wood 
pigeon. 
Even Ivy has been useful—in India—as a medi- 
cine, which is extracted from its juices, and is 
called hederine. Its roots furnish a strop for 
sharpening knives, and even its incipient leaves 
