H. BOTANY. 365 



of 20 Fahr.) that the normal rate of flow of sap is sensibly 

 disturbed. Abh. Katurf. GesellseJi., Halle, XIII., 30. 



SARRACENIA YARIOLARIS AS AN ANIMAL-EATER. 



Recent observations have been made by Dr. J. F. Melli- 

 champ, of Bluffton, S. C, upon the Sarrace?iia variolaris, 

 which abounds in that region, with some new and curious 

 results. This species of the pitcher plant has an elongated 

 conical, erect leaf, with a broad lamina curved over the open- 

 ing, and a wide longitudinal wing upon one side the whole 

 length of the tube. The upper portion is veined with pur- 

 ple, the intervening spaces being white and diaphanous. Dr. 

 Mellichamp establishes the following points: The base of the 

 tube secretes a watery fluid, which is not sweet nor odorous, 

 but which proves quickly fatal to all insects that fall into it. 

 The whole inner surface is covered with very minute, closely 

 appressed prickles, perfectly smooth, and pointed downward, 

 which render it impossible for an insect to ascend by walk- 

 ing, even when the leaf is laid nearly horizontal. Within 

 the somewhat dilated rim of the tube there is a band half an 

 inch in width, dotted with a sweet secretion, attractive to 

 insects, but not intoxicating. This also extends downward 

 along the edge of the outer wing to the very ground, thus 

 alluring many creeping insects, and especially ants, to the 

 more dangerous feeding -ground above, where once losing 

 foothold it is impossible to regain it. Even flies escape but 

 rarely, the form of the tube and lid seeming effectually to 

 obstruct their flight. As the result, the tube becomes tilled 

 to the depth of some inches with a mass of decaying ants, 

 flies, hornets, and other insects. Within this there is always 

 found a white grub feeding upon the material thus gathered, 

 perhaps the larva of a large fly which has been observed to 

 stand upon the edge of the tube and drop an egg within it. 

 Soon after the full development of the leaf the upper portion 

 becomes brown and shriveled, which is due to still another 

 larva, the young of a small moth, which feeds upon the sub- 

 stance of the leaf, leaving only the outer epidermis, and works 

 its way from above downward till in due time it spins its 

 cocoon, suspending it by silken threads just above the surface 

 of the insect debris at the bottom. The whole forms a series 

 of relationships and an instance of contrivance and design, 



