Convolvulus iTamil^. 



Dodder. Ouscuta Groncyim. 



Blossoming from August to October in low, damp, and shady 

 ground. 



A parasite, climbing liigh on other plants by winding its smooth, 

 round, bright orange stems closely about their stalks, and growing to 

 them by many sharp little suckers. 



There are no leaves, for the vine, stealing its food from honest 

 workers, has no use for them. 



The small, broad bell-shaped flower spreads at the top into 5 short 

 divisions ; the corolla is of a dull white color, and the inconspicuous 

 calyx greenish-white. The flowers are crowded in thick humps, at 

 short intervals along the twisting stems. 



The globular seed-box begins soon to swell within the flower, and 

 develops while the blossoming still goes on. The Dodder starts at first, 

 like an honest plant, from the ground, but as soon as it finds a con- 

 venient plant to tap, it breaks its connection, with the earth, and wraps 

 itself closely about its victim. 



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