CIIAP. XIV, CONCLUDING REMARKS. 331 



the infolded margins apparently serve to absorb de- 

 cayed animal matter in the same manner as the quad- 

 rifids. We can thus understand the meaning of the 

 infolded margins of the lobes furnished with delicate 

 points directed inwards, and of the broad, flat, outer 

 portions, bearing quadrifid processes ; for these sur- 

 faces must be liable to be irrigated by foul water 

 flowing from the concavity of the leaf when it con- 

 tains dead animals. This would follow from various 

 causes, from the gradual contraction of the concavity, 

 from fluid in excess being secreted, and from the 

 generation of bubbles of air. More observations are 

 requisite on this head ; but if this view is correct, we 

 have the remarkable case of different parts of the 

 same leaf serving for very different purposes one 

 part for true digestion, and another for the absorption 

 of decayed animal matter. We can thus also under- 

 stand how, by the gradual loss of either power, a plant 

 might be gradually adapted for the one function to 

 the exclusion of the other ; and it will hereafter be 

 shown that two genera, namely Pinguicula and Utri- 

 cularia, belonging to the same family, have been 

 adapted for these two different functions. 



