112 DECANDllIA. 



filaments of raw beef, and that plant was more luxu- 

 riant than any others it seems therefore probable 

 that the decomposition of animal matter is peculiarly- 

 favourable to its economy, and the singular structure 

 of its leaves may be designed to supply it with insects 

 whose putrescence may act as similar decompositions 

 do when applied to the roots of other plants ^ and the 

 innumerable insects drowned in the cup-formed leaves 

 of the Dipsacus, Sarracenia, and Nepenthes, may pro- 

 bably serv^e for the same purpose. 



STORAX-TREE, Styrax officinalis. This tree 

 produces the gum storax. The flower has no scent, 

 and the gum does not exude from the tree naturally, 

 as in the Fir and Cherry-tree j but is produced by 

 means of an insect which perforates the tree to lay 

 its eggs, and the gum exudes, presenting a curious 

 instance of the agency of nature. This tree grows 

 wild at Tivoly, near Rome, where I have seen it, as 

 if it were a native ) but it was first brought there by 

 the Emperor Arian from the East, when he built his 

 magnificent villa j and I saw it with interest, as being 

 still a living vestige of the existence of that Emperor 

 who lived when Rome was in the zenith of her glory, 

 and mistress of the world. 



British Plants of this Order, 



Botanical Generic Names. Common Karnes. 



25 Andromeda 1 Moonwort 



10 Arbutus 3 Strawberry tree 



2 Monotrova 1 Birds nest 



6 Pvrola 4 Wintergbeen 



