126 NEW ZEALAND PLANTS. 
but when it grows away from its bog dwelling and has settled on 
the drier ground it becomes taller and more straggling, though in 
extremely dry situations it forms close cushions (fig. 3). The 
following sedges are common denizens of mountain-bogs: The grass- 
like, small Carex Gaudichaudiana; the common carpha (Carpha 
alpina), its leaves 6 inches long, or less, grass-lke and stiff; and, 
where the peat is wet and the conditions approximate to those of 
swamp, Carex stellulata and C. diandra. 
Bogs occur even on the scoria of the central plateau of the North 
Island, if water oozes out of the ground in sufficient quantity. An 
interesting plant of these bogs, but not confined thereto, by any 
means, is a member of the gentian family (Liparophyllum Gunnid), 
which has a very thick creeping stem and profusion of tiny white 
star-like blossoms. It may be pointed out that this plant is the 
sole species of the genus, which is found only in this country and 
Tasmania. 
The sundews (Drosera) are characteristic bog-plants, and deserve 
at any rate a passmg word. As shown above, the bog - water 
lacks available nitrogen. The small, spoon-like leaves of the sun- 
dews are provided with glandular hairs, at the end of which a 
shining drop of fluid may usually be seen. This contains a substance 
which has the power of acting on animal matter in much the same 
manner as the gastric juice. Should a small insect alight on a 
drosera-leaf, it becomes entangled in the sticky fluid, and at the 
same time the hairs bend over and pin the victim fast. Thus does 
this tiny plant procure some of its nitrogenous food. All the sun- 
dews do not dwell in bogs, and in this case the advantage of 
the nitrogen-gaining carnivorous habit is greatly discounted. For 
example, D. auriculata is a plant of open manuka shrubland, and 
climbs over grass-stems and various plants. It can live quite well 
in a dry place, as it has an underground tuber containing a good 
deal of water. D. pygmaea may receive mention here on account of 
its remarkable distribution, it having so far been found only at the 
two extremes of New Zealand and in the centre of the North Island 
—viz., on the Bluff Hill, the Waimarino Plain, and in the far north 
of the North Island. It is a tiny plant, no bigger than one’s little- 
finger nail, and so may be easily overlooked. 
Another plant which can use tiny animals for food must be 
mentioned, the bladderwort (Utricularia monanthos), a plant with 
