PLANTS THAT MIMIC 29 
of the evil reputation of the insect or the plant 
that it mimics. 
A unique case of imitation is the rattlesnake iris 
which grows abundantly in the western part of the 
United States, especially on the dry plains where 
cattle, horses, and sheep graze. To prevent itself 
from being eaten, this plant mimics, by means of 
its dry seeds, the noise of the rattlesnake; and not 
only does it mimic the rattle of the snake, but its 
fruits are held in small glossy black capsules not 
unlike the black head of certain other snakes. 
There is a species of red lotus which grows in 
the tropics whose fruit-pods are formed like a 
wasp’s nest; and the India-rubber plant has roots 
whose convolutions and contortions are like so 
many snakes twisting out of the earth. 
If we examine the lichens we find a trumpet, 
a hat, and various letters. Mildews and moulds 
arrange themselves into cages, clubs, cups and 
saucers, umbrellas, knives and forks, snake-like 
creatures; and one kind of fungus imitates the 
most exquisite lace. 
Strange and very animal-like plants are the 
Raoulias of New Zealand. They grow in compact 
masses on the sides of semi-barren hills, and are 
so strikingly like a sheep in appearance that it is 
not uncommon for shepherds to approach them and 
