PLANTS DEFEND THEMSELVES 47 
sought after by grazing cattle and sheep, called 
the Muhlenbergia Texana. This grass probably 
would have become extinct long ago, growing as 
it does in almost desert soil where pasturage is so 
much in demand, had it not sought refuge beneath 
the thorny branches of cacti and mesquite bushes. 
The cattle fear too familiar proximity to the 
thousand-pointed cactus, and so, in spite of the 
seductive freshness of the Muhlenbergia, they 
leave it to flourish in peace under the protection of 
its spiny and dagger-armed guardian. Even young 
sheep have learned not to try to reach it, lest they 
become hopelessly grasped by the prickly cactus, 
whose sheltering arms defend not only the grass 
but ofttimes a happy family consisting of rattle- 
snakes, prairie dogs, and the prairie owl. 
With plants that run away to the protection 
of stronger plants should be grouped those 
which hide from their depredators. There are 
many of these, some of which are very cunning in 
their methods of escaping detection. Weeds fre- 
quently hide in among plants which are very simi- 
lar to themselves: wild seedling lilies are often 
found among Solomon’s-seal; June grass flourishes 
undisturbed among beds of phlox; nightshade 
grows among tomato plants; wild onions slip in 
among their cultivated cousins; daisies love the com- 
