150 TENDRIL-BEARERS. Cuap. IV. 
family, as in the last, the tendrils are modified flower- 
peduncles. In the present plant the two lateral 
branches of the main flower-peduncle have been con- 
verted into a pair of tendrils, corresponding with the 
single “ flower-tendril” of the common vine. The 
main peduncle is thin, stiff, and from 3 to 44 inches in 
length. Near the summit, above two little bracts, it 
divides into three branches. The middle one divides 
Fig. 12. 
Cardiospermum halicacabum. 
Upper part of the flower-peduncle with its two tendrils. 
and re-divides, and bears the flowers; ultimately it 
grows half as long again as the two other modified 
branches. These latter are the tendrils; they are at 
first thicker and longer than the middle branch, but 
never become more than an inch in length. They 
taper to a point and are flattened, with the lower 
clasping surface destitute ofhairs. At first they project 
straight up; but soon diverging, spontaneously curl 
downwards so as to become symmetrically and elegantly 
hooked, as represented in the diagram. They are now, 
whilst the flower-buds are still small, ready for 
action. 
