538 
A  TROPICAL  AIR-PLANT. 
'In  one  respect,  this  is  like  a  true  root, — it  branches  irregularly, 
— while  on  the  ascending  trunk  the  leaves  and  branches  are  in 
pairs. 
In  order  to  attain  its  full  development,  it  seems  necessary 
that  it  should  germinate  at  a  point  from  which  the  descending 
axis  shall  pass  in  proximity  to  the  trunk  of  the  tree ;  and,  it  has 
seemed,  that  if  this  point  be  very  high,  it  is  a  circumstance 
unfavorable  to  its  rapid  growth. 
Supposing,  then,  our  plant  to  start  under  favorable  auspices, 
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,  as  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  horizon- 
tally 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  forest-tree  is  embraced  by  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  laterally,  the 
growth  of  the  tree  is  checked,  and  its  destruction  is  inevitable 
sooner  or  later,  according  to  its  less  or  greater  power  of  en- 
durance. 
'A  tree,  on  which  the  Copey  has  woven  a  pretty  complete  net, 
cannot  long  retain  its  vitality.  Its  circulation  is  stopped  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  seem  that  it  required 
either  elevation  or  an  erect  position  for  its  existence. 
I  can  recall  to  mind  but  one  instance  of  a  Copey  growing 
