54 BOTANY FOR BEGINNERS. [Cn. IX- 



wild pine, Tilla-ndsia^ the leaves of which are hollowed out at 

 their base, so as to be capable of containing more than a pint oi 

 liquid. A traveller says, " by making an incision into the base 

 of this leaf, and collecting the water in our hats, we could ob- 

 tain a sufficient supply for the relief of the most intense thirst.'' 

 The fluid is not a secretion from the plant, but is deposited du- 

 ring the rainy season. 



Fig. 34. 



a 



231. The Pitcher-plant, (Nepenthes distillatoria^) Fig. 34, 

 affords a most singular tubular receptacle ;n an appendage to 

 its lanceolate leaf; beyond the apex of the leaf a, the mid-rib 

 extends in the form of a tendril ; at the extremity of this tendril 

 is the cylindrical cup or pitcher &, about six inches in length, 

 and one and a half in diameter; it is furnished with a lid, c. 

 This is usually found filled with pure water, supposed to be a 

 secretion from the plant. Insects which creep into this cup are 

 drowned in the liquid, except a small species of shrimp, which 

 lives by feeding on the others. The Pitcher-plant is a native 

 of Ceylon, where it is called monkey-cup, on account of its be- 

 ing frequented by these animals for the purpose of quenching 

 their thirst. 



Compound Leaves. 



212. When several leafets grow on o-ne petiole, the whole is 

 termed a compound leaf] as in the Rose. 



Fig. 35. 



