OTHER METHODS OF OBTAINING FOOD 211 
place on the ground, and the embryo grows to a length of 
about an inch. Its apex attaches itself to the ground, and 
the free portion moves round, describing a sort of spiral in 
the air. If it comes in contact with a suitable host, it 
twines round it after the fashion of a tendril, and numerous 
suckers are developed in rows at the points of contact. 
Haustoria spring from these suckers and penetrate the host, 
extending inwards till they reach the wood (fig. 102). The 
part below the attachment dies shortly after this relationship 
has been established, and the parasite 
is left attached to the host. In its 
further growth it continues to twine 
around the latter, puttmg out numer- 
ous branches, which also form similar 
coils, so that the host is completely 
immeshed in the twining stems of the 
parasite. The latter bears no leaves 
and possesses no chlorophyll in any 
part, so that it derives all its food in | 
fully elaborated form from the tissues 
of the host. Cuscuta produces num- 
bers of flowers on its branches, and 
ji Fie. 103.—CELxs or Porato 
from them are developed fruits and PLANT INFESTED WITH 
seeds. ‘The parasitism is complete, Pieri 
6, hypha running between 
and the relation frequently leads to the ‘the cells and sending 
death of the host which hag been  — javstori (a) into their 
attacked. 
Parasitic plants are very frequently met with among the 
fungi and the Bacteria. The former penetrate the living 
cells 01 the plant they infest, or ma few cases ramify between 
them, sending haustoria into the interior of the cells between 
which the mycelium grows (fig. 103). They make use of the 
contents of the cells, destroying and absorbing the living sub- 
stance as well as any formed materials which may be present. 
In many cases also they destroy the cell-walls, and utilise 
the carbohydrate materials of which the latter consist. 
Their ravages only cease with the death of the organism. 
[4 * 
