THE GRAPPLE-PLA^T AND THE DRAG. 



43 



numerous, that in attempting to rescue one portion of the 

 dress, another portion becomes entangled, and the traveller 

 gets hopelessly captured. Besides the hooks of the seed- 

 vessels, the branches themselves are armed with long thorns, 

 set in pairs. The scientific name of this plant is TJncinaria 

 procumbens, the former word signifying " a hook," and the latter 

 "trailing." It is also known by the popular name of Hook- 

 plant. 



GRAPPLE-PLANT. 



In the late Kafir wars the natives made great use of this 

 and other plants with similar properties, their own naked, 

 dark, and oiled bodies slipping through them easily and un- 

 seen, while the scarlet coats of the soldiers were quickly 

 entangled, and made them an easy mark for the Kafir's spear. 

 In this way many more of our soldiers were killed by the spears 

 than by the bullets of their enemies. 



Opposite to the Grapple-plant is shown the common Drag, 

 which is utilised for so many purposes. Generally it is 

 employed for recovering objects that have sunk to the bottom 

 of the water, and its use by the officers of the Humane Society 

 is perfectly well known, the Drag being sometimes affixed to 

 the end of a long pole, like the flesh-hook already described, 

 and sometimes tied to a rope. 



It can also be used as an anchor, after the manner of a 

 kedge, and has been often employed in naval engagements for 

 the purpose of drawing two ships together, and preventing the 

 escape of the vessel which is being worsted. My relative, the 

 late Admiral Sir J. Harvey, K.B., used drags in this manner, 

 and secured two French ships, one on either side, namely, 

 U Achille and Le Vengeur. The first was sunk, and the 

 second captured. 



