151 



Notes on the Histology of Pitcher Plants. 



By W. H. GiLBURT, F.R.M.S. 



{Read June 25, 1880.) 



PLATE XL 



In the '* Midland Naturalist," recently, a series of papers by Dr. 

 Lawson Tait have appeared, entitled " Notes on the Structures of 

 Pitcher Plants." 



In the first paragraph the following sentence occurs : — " Some of 

 the observations are, I know, not new, and others, I am equally 

 certain, will not be admitted without further corroboration." With 

 the opinion here expressed, I most certainly agree ; as some of the 

 structures described are so different to anything hitherto known to 

 exist, and the origin ascribed to others so opposed to that which is 

 generally held, that any one familiar with vegetable histology would 

 at least hesitate and wait for corroborative evidence before accepting 

 such descriptions as correct. 



There is one point to which I would refer before proceeding 

 further, and that is, the use by the author, whether intentional or 

 otherwise I am unable to say, of the term " epithelium " instead of 

 "epidermis." If it be intentional, it appears to me altogether un- 

 necessary and uncalled for. The term at present in use is one which 

 our best authorities employ, and it, moreover, expresses the analogy 

 which exists between the layer of cells referred to, and that 

 covering which is continuous over the exterior surface of the 

 animal body. 



The first structures referred to by Dr. Tait are the branched hairs 

 which are found, for example, on the exterior surface of the pitchers 

 of Nepenthes, and which he regards and describes as having the func- 

 tion of absorption. Concerning this particular point, I hav^e had 

 no opportunity of forming an opinion, as the pitcher upon which my 

 observations were made had been severed from the plants for some 



JouRN. Q. M. C, No. 45. n 



