BITTERSWEET 215 



Sometimes a vine will clasp a young tree and 

 vigorously strangle it to death, reaching out and up 

 into the tops that rise indifferently above its victim. 

 Elated by its success, it will grow larger than the 

 dead trunk around which it twines in a rapid spiral. 

 Often it takes but an indolent hold of a sturdy tree, 

 as if reluctant to admit its dependence. Occasionally 

 it swings clear of the sustaining trunk, holding only 

 by the branches as much as twenty feet from the 

 ground, and leaving the mystery of its wonderful 

 climbing feat unsolved, A few curves in the pendent 

 vine suggest a victim which has served its purpose and 

 passed away, for a trunk so soft and pliable might 

 loose the coils with which it strangled a supporting 

 tree. Hanging unsupported, it is as light and flexible 

 as a rope, and, when two or three inches in diameter, 

 an irresistible temptation to climb. 



The berries have the reputation of being poisonous, 

 and a similar evil fame attaches to the wood, bark, 

 and roots. A European namesake deserves this bad 

 reputation, and our own artistic vine is not free from 

 the taint of suspicion. The inquisitive find the berries 

 mildly sweet and liquid, not at all disagreeable ; but 

 a taste is sufficient to satisfy curiosity. In spite of 

 their tempting and conspicuous colours, they are left 

 severely alone by the birds in fall and winter. The 

 inquisitive Grosbeaks often flly leisurely to a tree 

 where the bright tints are attractively displayed, but. 



