A TROPICAL AIR-PLANT. 369 
Supposing, then, our plant to start under favorable aus- 
pices, not very high above the ground, and from a hole or a 
fissure in an erect trunk, the ascending stem presents nothing 
of special interest, but the root, passing down near the foster- 
tree, is most singularly affected by it. It would seem as if 
possessed of a most grateful affection for that which gives it 
support; so much so, ds to multiply arms with which to 
embrace it. It sends off, from time to time, at irregular 
distances, from one side or the other, slender, almost thread- 
like branches, which pass horizontally around the tree, till 
they meet on the opposite side and unite ; or, it may be, if 
two should not meet, they would pass entirely round it and 
unite again with the main root. On this point, I either 
made no careful observations, or my memory is at fault. 
Gradually the foster-tree is embraced by a succession of 
these cords. But, by the same regular growth, these cords 
spread upward and downward, till they become hoops. And 
these hoops often’ send off branches from one to another; 
and these in their turn widen, till the tree is inclosed in a 
living cylinder or a cylindrical network of bands, having 
immense strength ; and as these seem to increase only late- 
rally » the growth of the tree is checked, and its destruction 
ìs inevitable, sooner or later, according to its less or greater 
Power of endurance, 
A tree, on which the Copey has woven a pretty complete 
: het, cannot long retain its vitality. Its circulation is stopped 
2 and it dies. But this seems not to. check the growth of the 
: destroyer, so. long as the trunk remains erect. But when 
they both fall, the parasite cannot long survive. It would 
i Seem that it required either elevation or an erect position 
for its existence, 
„L can recall to mind but one instance of a Copey growing 
ee the ground, and it is probable that in this case the 
Place Whence it started was low, and it had time to reach 
* Soil and fasten its roots there before the death and decay , 
of its foster-parent, | 
SER. NATURALIST, VoL. 1. 4T 





