Retrospective Criticism. 177 



tree when boiled constituted no bad substitute for French 

 beans. Accordingly, a dish of the green pods, that is, the 

 seed-vessels containing the unripe seeds, was prepared and 

 served up at table. Of course the whole of our family party 

 (consisting of two grown persons and two children), were it 

 only out of curiosity, tasted of the new-fashioned culinary 

 vegetable; but, as it proved, by unanimous consent, harsh, 

 stringy, and ill-flavoured, no one, if I remember right, swal- 

 lowed more than a small portion of it. No bad effect, how- 

 ever, ensued from the experiment. — W. T. Bree. Allesley 

 Rectory, Jan. 10. 1833. 



The Leaves and glandulated Hairs of the Drosera rotundi- 

 fblia do possess Irritability. (Vol. IV. p. 135., Vol. V. p. 26. 

 491. 755.) — When we discover that we have fallen into an 

 error, we cannot acknowledge it too speedily, both for the 

 ease of our own consciences, and the satisfaction of others. 

 Alas ! how often have we to retract opinions conceived, per- 

 haps, in too great haste, too hastily uttered, and of which 

 our after observation shows us the fallacy. But I am not 

 about to write a moral essay, and therefore will not trouble 

 the readers of this Magazine wilh any farther reflections. 

 What I have now to say relates to the opinion a short time 

 since expressed by me (Vol. V. p. 755.), that the leaves of 

 Drosera rotundifolia possess no claims to irritability ; and I 

 must own this opinion to have been advanced upon too short 

 an investigation. Farther study of the plant has induced me 

 to coincide with J. E. L. (Vol. V. p. 757.) in his views on the 

 subject : and, to me, what both himself and Mr. Thomson 

 (Vol. V. p. 756.) have said touching the habits of the sundew 

 appears perfectly just, and in accordance with the fact. When 

 an unfortunate insect has entangled itself in the clammy juice 

 of a fresh and before unsullied leaf of sundew, the hairs 

 gradually close upon their victim, and the edges of the leaf 

 itself curl inwards, remaining so, long after their luckless 

 captive has ceased to exist. Slowly unclosing at length, 

 they discover the miserable remains of the poor insect, 

 looking, indeed (to borrow a lively simile from Mr. W T aterton 

 and his donkey, Vol. V. p. 679.)> like "misery steeped in 

 vinegar." The leaf itself does not appear to come off without 

 detriment from the struggle, as it loses much of its healthful 

 appearance, which it is some time ere it completely resumes. 

 I have witnessed, with some surprise, a fly, nearly resembling 

 in size and form the common housefly, captured by one of 

 these little leaves, and held fast until the relaxing hairs dis- 

 closed a slimy and blackened thing, bearing small likeness to 

 the creature they had imprisoned.— C.P. Surrey, Oct A. 1832. 

 Vol. VI. — No. 32. n 



