ON SOME RESEMBLANCES BETWEEN PLANTS AND ANIMALS. 39 
A very curious fly-catching apparatus is seen in a plant called 
Venus’s Fly-trap, a native of America, but seen now and then in 
our hothouses. Here the leaf is converted into something very 
like an iron rat-trap. It is bordered with sharp spines and in 
the centre are six hairs that secrete a sweet, tempting fluid. These 
hairs are sensitive, and the moment a fly alights upon them to 
sip the sugary bait, the leaf folds together suddenly, and remains 
closed until the fly is decayed. 
In both these instances it is probable that the gases arising 
from the decaying flies are absorbed by the leaves, and help to 
nourish the plants; at any rate it is difficult to believe that such 
elaborate arrangements would be given to the plants for the 
evident purpose of catching insects, unless the insects were to 
benefit the plants in some way. Experiments might easily be 
made, and the results would be interesting and valuable, to 
whatever conclusions they might point. 
This paper has grown during the writing to a somewhat greater 
length than I at first intended; but I have still not by any 
means exhausted the subject. In fact I have only thrown out a 
few hints and suggestions, which I hope may have been sufliciently 
interesting to induce further study; and I may be, perhaps, 
allowed to say, in conclusion, that there is still plenty of scope for 
discovery—that our knowledge of any branch of Natural History 
is not yet, nor ever will be, so perfect, that we can learn nothing 
more; but that every original observation is a step towards truth ; 
that field naturalists, of all others, have the best opportunities 
of making observations ; and that the veriest beginner, if he tries, 
may record something that shall interest, not only himself, but 
shall help the cause of science. Rosert Hoiuanp. 
Locat Namzs.—It is desired to collect as many as possible of 
the local names of British plants; and the assistance is requested of 
all who take an interest in the subject, or who may have the oppor- 
tunity of ascertaining and recording them. Any lists sent to Jamzs 
Britten, High Wycombe, or to Roserr Hoitann, Mobberley, 
Knutsford, will be thankfully received and acknowledged. 
