BUTTERWORT AND MIDGE 



also used by the peasants near Oporto as a convenient fly- 

 paper. 



In both of these plants large drops of a sticky, glistening 

 liquid are secreted by the hairs which cover the leaves. 

 Any small insect alighting on the latter is sure to get 

 covered by the liquid, and in trying to get away will become 

 hopelessly involved in it. It is probably soon suffocated, for 

 the gummy matter will choke the small air-holes by which it 

 breathes. Both these plants are said to secrete both an acid 

 and a digestive secretion. 



But we have two plants which are even more interesting 

 in this country. 



Walking over the rough marshy pastures or moors of 

 Scotland one is sure to notice, generally on wet peaty and 

 barren soil, a little rosette of bright, yellow -green, glistening 

 leaves. If it is the right season there will be a handsome 

 purple flower whose stalk springs from them. This is the 

 Butterwort {Pinguicula), and it is not a bad name, for the 

 leaves remind one of butter. The whole upper surface of 

 the leaves is covered with tiny glands secreting a sticky, 

 glistening matter. It is said that there will be as many as 

 fifty thousand of these glands on a square inch of the upper 

 surface. 



Now in such places every one knows that there are 

 quantities of midges, and also that these insects are always 

 exceedingly thirsty. They prefer blood, it is true, but when 

 they see these bright yellowish leaves they naturally go to 

 them. When, however, the midge touches the leaf, the 

 sticky liquid clings to its wings and legs, and it cannot 

 escape. 



So far this does not diff'er from the Fly Catchers men- 

 tioned above, but another very curious action then begins. 



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