292 PLANT-LIFE 



which in the absence of chlorophyll they cannot make 

 for themselves, from decaying animal or vegetable 

 remains; thus they are useful- scavengers, as they assist 

 very materially in reducing noxious matter to humus, 

 and in rendering it serviceable to the lives of green 

 plants. Saprophytes probably make most of their own 

 proteins, but they may absorb any that are available. 

 Among the higher flowering plants there are a number 

 which have become total saprophytes, probably owing 

 to their having fallen into the habit of making use of a 

 subject fungus known as a " mycorhiza." This subject 

 fungus takes the place of root-hairs; it is in intimate 

 association with root or stem, and absorbs decay pro- 

 ducts in humus, and passes them on to the plant, which 

 holds it as a vassal. Here, indeed, we have a turning 

 of the tables. The fungus, which we might expect to 

 batten on a higher plant, is actually commandeered into 

 its service. British saprophytes of the flowering type are 

 few. We have the Bird's-nest Orchid {Neottia Nidus- 

 avis), which is leafless; its stem is pale brown, and its 

 flowers, arranged in a spike, are dingy brown. It is 

 found in many p irts of England and Ireland, also in 

 Southern and Central Scotland, in the humus of damp 

 woods, but it is not common. The Coral-root Orchis 

 {Corallorhiza innata) is very rare; it has a repeatedly 

 branched rhizome, resembling branched coral, hence the 

 name. There is no true root. The leaves are reduced 

 to mere scales; the stem and flowers are a greenish 

 yellow. The plant is found only in the East of Scot- 

 land, in moist woods. The Yellow Bird's-nest {Mono- 

 tropa hypopitys) belongs to the Heath Family, Ericaceae. 

 It occurs in the humus of Birch, Beech, and Fir woods 



