64 LENTIBULARI^ 



The late Charles Darwin, having had his attention drawn to the numbers 

 of dead insects frequently found adhering to the leaves, investigated the 

 matter, and proved conclusiA'el}^ that Butterwort is an insectivorous plant. 

 The edges of the leaf are rolled in towards the centre, and thus form a vessel 

 capable of retaining fluids. Flies get stuck to the leaf, and their presence 

 excites the glands to an increased flow of their secretion, which now becomes 

 acid and capable of digesting their softer portions. The result is after- 

 wards absorbed by the glands and utilized for the nourishment of the whole 

 plant. All the species exhibit this insectivorous habit. 



The Butterwort is sometimes called Yorkshire Sanicle, and is said to 

 have been formerly used to dye the hair yellow. It is known in Germany 

 as FeUkraut ; in Holland as the SmecrhJow ; the Spaniards call it Grassila ; and 

 the Italians Pinguicnla. It is very difficult of cultivation, but is occasionally 

 planted in gardens, though the handsomer P. (irandijiora is more easily reared, 

 and better repays the cultivator. 



2. Large-flowered Butterwort (P. grmuUflora). — Spur awl-shaped, 

 cylindrical ; segments of corolla very vuiequal ; perennial. This is the most 

 beautiful of all the native species. It grows on bogs in the counties of Cork 

 and Kerry, in Ireland, bearing, in May and June, its flowers of deep but 

 bright purple colour. It is a rare plant, and may be distinguished from the 

 Common Butterwort by the broader lobes of the lower lip, and the notched 

 tip of the spur. The leaves, both of this and the last species, die in winter, 

 and buds are formed, which in the following spring expand into perfect 

 plants. This is I'egarded by some as a sub-sj)ecies of F. vulgaris. 



3. Alpine Butterwort (F. alpiiia). — Spur conical, shorter than the 

 limb of the corolla, and curved towards the lower lip ; capsule acute ; peren- 

 nial. This species is much smaller than the Common Butterwort, which it 

 resembles in habit, and in the texture of its foliage. Its flower-stalks are 

 smooth, and its flowers, which expand in June, are yellowish-white, having 

 clear yellow hairs beneath, and a xqyj short sj^ur. It is very rare, being 

 found only in bogs in Scotland. The recorded localities of this flower are 

 the Isle of Skye, and the bogs of Aughterflow and Shannon, in Ross-shire. 



4. Pale Butterwort (P. lusitdnica). — Spur cylindrical, blunt, curved 

 downwards ; segments of the corolla nearly equal ; leaves and flower-stalks 

 covered with short hairs ; perennial. This plant is about the same size as 

 the last, and though not nearly so rare, yet is very local, never occurring in 

 the east of this kingdom, and rarely in the midland counties, but being 

 chiefly confined to the marshy plains and moors at the west. It has been 

 found on marshy ground near Basing, three miles from Basingstoke ; and it 

 is abundant in the Hebrides, and in the bogs of Ireland. The leaves are 

 greenish- white, and veined ; and the lilac flowers with yelloAv throats expand 

 from July to September. 



2. Bladderwort ( UtrkuUria). 



1. Greater Bladderwort {U. ndgdris). — Spur about half as long as 

 the corolla, conical, straight and blunt ; upper lip of the corolla about as 

 long as the inflated palate ; leaves pinnate, and much divided ; anthers 

 cohering; perennial. This is a not very common plant in ditches and deep 



