1 62 Transactions of the [Sess. 



Sarracenia, they are not digested, but simply undergo decomposition. 

 The quadrifid hairs are supposed to be the active agents in the 

 absorption of the liquid products. 



Such is a short survey of a few of these most interesting plants. 

 While their general structure includes them in the Vegetable Kmg- 

 dom, their habits, in some respects, are curiously allied to those of 

 the members of the Animal Kuigdom. It is only of recent years 

 that these habits have been investigated and understood, principally 

 through the laborious and painstaking experiments of Darwin, Hooker, 

 and others, in this country. IN'ow that attention has so largely been 

 drawn to ' them, and so many workers have entered on the task of 

 their further elucidation, even more startling facts than any yet dis- 

 covered may some day be brought to light. 



[In illustration of the above, a number of microscopic preparations were 

 shown, which included the minute structure of most of the plants enumerated 

 and described.] 



X.—NOTE ON THE NEST OF THE REED-WARBLER 

 (SALIC ARIA ARUNDINAGEA). 



By Mr A. B. HERBERT, Pkesident. 

 {Read Feb. 28, 1884.) 



The Eeed- Warbler is extremely rare in Scotland, and not so abundant 

 in England as the Sedge- Warbler. It is a migratory species, coming 

 in April and leaving in September. Its note is pleasing and varied, 

 and uttered with little intermission during the day, and occasionally 

 at night. The nest is a most peculiar structure, very ingeniously 

 suspended from three reeds, and so deep that when the reeds wave 

 about in the wind, there is no danger of the eggs rolling out. The 

 one I exhibit was given to me by Mr Miller, the agent for the Earl 

 of Craven at Combe Abbey, in Warwickshire — a place which is a 

 perfect paradise for aJl small birds. In the year 1882 there were 

 three of these nests in the same cluster of reeds near the decoy, 

 where no gun is allowed to be fired, and even loud talking is strictly 

 prohibited, so that the little Eeed- Warblers live in perfect peace, and 

 have a kind friend in Mr Miller, who is an enthusiastic ornithologist. 

 Excepting the mud-nests of the Hir undines, I know of only two 

 species of British birds which build suspended nests, namely, this one 

 and the Gold-crest. On examining the nest before us, we cannot 



