950 BATTLES OF PLANTS IN THE WORLD 
crowd themselves in and push out the others. Plants 
which live together peaceably in this way form socie- 
ties. ‘They are really social in their dispositions, and 
often several kinds m one society are dependent on the 
others. They could not live alone. They neéd some- 
thing to clmg to, or they need protection from the 
great light and heat of the sun. 
ven where the rushes, and reed-mace, and buckbean, 
and water plantain seem to occupy the ground, there 
are many other kinds of plants which are not so large, 
and which fit in between the tall ones, or cling to 
them, or float in the water. 
Peculiar societies of peat bogs. When you visit the 
peat bogs or sphagnum moors, where the peat moss or 
sphagnum grows, you will find a society of peculiar 
plants. These plants like cold water and other singular 
surroundings for their stems and roots. Their dispo- 
sition is so unusual in this respect that none of the 
common plants you are familiar with in the fields and 
woods’ would go into their society or live in their 
territory, unless after many years the character of 
the territory should change so that it would be more 
congenial. 
Growing along with the peat moss you will often 
find cranberries, pennywort, the curious sundews, and 
many other plants with thick leaves which are re- 
tentive of moisture. The plants that associate with 
d 
