
ECOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION OF PLANTS. 19 
a layer of cells at its base, it grows in length exactly as much 
as will equal the thickness of the new layer of wood : for this 
reason it never becomes closed by the annual rings of wood. 
On making sections of the wood, the sinkers are easily seen. 
Whilst the sinkers are thus spreading in the interior of the 
branch, the stem of the Mistletoe develops outside the host ; 
then follows the formation of the leaves, flowers, and berries. 
It is reckoned by examination of the rings of wood and 
sinkers that a Mistletoe may live forty years. 
 Saprophytic These plants live on decaying matter (Gk. 
Plants. sapros, rotten), either vegetable or animal. The 
majority belong to one of the lowest groups otf plants—the 
Fungi. The best known example of a Flowering Plant is the 
Bird’s Nest Orchid, which lives on the humus of beech leaves. 
BIBLIOGRAPHY. 
‘Flowering Plants and Ferns,” vol. i.: Willis. 
‘Natural History of Plants”: Kerner. 
‘Climbing Plants”: Darwin. 
“Origin of Floral Structures”: Henslow. 
