THE SUXDEWS. 



The leaves, of which the plant seldom bears more 

 than half a dozen, and often less, are covered on the 

 upper surface with glandular hairs, to which the name 

 " tentacles " has been applied. Of these, from 130 to 

 250 have been counted on single leaves. Those in 

 the centre are shortest and erect, becoming longer 

 and more oblique towards the margin. Each tentacle 

 has a hair-like stem, and bears an expanded oblong 

 gland at the apex. This is sur- 

 rounded by a viscid secretion, 

 which imparts the glistening 

 dewy appearance that originated 

 the name. If we remove one of 

 these glands, and cut it down 

 the centre, we shall see that it 

 has an external layer of many- 

 sided cells, which are small and 

 filled with purple granular con- 

 tents (fig. 2). Beneath this is 

 another layer of different-shaped 

 cells, wnth similar contents. In 

 the centre is a group of elon- 

 gated cylindrical cells, each 

 with a spiral fibre winding round within it, and con- 

 taining a limpid fluid. From these spiral cells a 

 spiral vessel runs down through the centre of the 

 stalk or pedicel of the gland. Other and more minute 

 rudimentary hairs are found mixed with the tentacles, 



Fig. 2. — Section of gland 

 of Droscra rotiiiidifoLia 

 magnified. 



