82 DttOSERA ROTTJNDIFOLIA. CHAP. V, 



nitrogenous matter by the glands of the tentacles 

 on the disc. 



Some of the leaves which were not affected by the 

 non-nitrogenous fluids were, as above stated, imme- 

 diately afterwards tested with bits of meat, and wer 

 thus proved to be in an active condition. But in 

 addition to these trials, twenty-three of the leaves, 

 with drops of gum, syrup, or starch, still lying on 

 their discs, which had produced no effect in the course 

 of between 24 hrs. and 48 hrs., were then tested with 

 drops of milk, urine, or albumen. Of the twenty-three 

 leaves thus treated, seventeen had their tentacles, and 

 in some cases their blades, well inflected ; but their 

 powers were somewhat impaired, for the rate of move- 

 ment was decidedly slower than when fresh leaves 

 were treated with these same nitrogenous fluids. This 

 impairment, as well as the insensibility of six of the 

 leaves, may be attributed to injury from exosmose, 

 caused by the density of the fluids placed on their 

 discs. 



The results of a few other experiments with nitrogenous fluids 

 may be here conveniently given. Decoctions of some vegetables, 

 known to be rich in nitrogen, were made, and these acted like 

 animal fluids. Thus, a few green peas were boiled for some time 

 in distilled water, and the moderately thick decoction thus made 

 was allowed to settle. Drops of the superincumbent fluid were 

 placed on four leaves, and when these were looked at after 

 16 hrs., the tentacles and blades of all were found strongly 

 inflected. I infer from a remark by Gerhardt* that legumin is 

 present in peas " in combination with an alkali, forming an 

 incoagulable solution," and this would minglo with boiling 

 water. I may mention, in relation to the above and .following 

 experiments, that according to Schifff certain forms of albumen 



* Watts' ' Diet, of Chemistry,' Digestion,' torn. i. p. 370 ; tom 

 vol. iii. p. 5G8. ii. pp. 154, 166, on legumin. 



t ' Legons sur la Fliys. cle la 



