PARASITIC PLANTS. 191 
eyes, its double nature and singular method of growth. 
Accordingly we procured some perfect seed of which the 
wild plant produces an abundance, and of a size by no 
means diminutive, and planted them in a bed with other 
seeds, in small rows, each appropriately tallied, and all 
designed for transplanting, in due time, to suitable places 
in the border. In a very few days after planting, the Cus- 
cuta-seed uncoiled its feeble embryo, and erected its sim- 
ple yellow thread into the sunshine and air; but while 
we waited for further developments, the spring winds and 
the warm suns of noon quickly withered them away. 
Thus our first attempt at cultivation utterly failed, and 
solely for the want of some older plants in sufficient prox- 
imity for the young seedlings to cling to, but which at 
the time escaped our reflection. Months elapsed before 
the experiment was again tried, which was done within 
doors and in mid-winter with perfect success. The seed 
_ readily germinated as before, and when the young plants 
were about an inch in height, they were taken separately 
from the earth, and placed here and there on the axils of 
the leaves of plants near at hand, such as Fuschias, Ge- 
raniums, and sundry hanging plants. 
With the instincts of their nature (if it be pardonable to 
use that term), they in a few days attached themselves to 
these plants, particularly to the Fuschias; and as the 
spring advanced, they grew with great luxuriance and 
flowered freely, but, as might be supposed, to the mani- 
fest detriment of the plants about which they twined. 
This, however, was overlooked in the satisfaction arising 
from success ; for had their yellow stems been gold, and 
their clusters of flowers pearls, the satisfaction would 
hardly have been greater. Those placed on the hanging 
Plants, although they adhered, made but feeble growth. 
