48 FREAKS OF PLANT LIFE. 



In Dr. Darwin's book all the facts resulting from 

 observation, and experiment are brought to bear 

 upon the theory which he advanced, that the power 

 of catching and digesting insects is of advantage to 

 the plants themselves. Some continental botanists 

 have denied that the case is proved. Subsequent to 

 the volume in question Mr. Francis Darwin instituted 

 some experiments with the view of ascertaining what 

 effect the indulgence in carnivorous propensities had 

 upon the Sundew. The plants were isolated and pro- 

 tected. Half the plants, or 91 plants, were not fed, 

 whilst 86 plants were supplied with roast meat, cut 

 into thin slices across the grain, and the fibre torn 

 into fragments exceedingly minute. The first 

 difference observed was that in August the starved 

 plants had only produced 1 16 flowering stems whilst 

 the fed plants had produced 173. Another difference 

 observed was that the fed plants contained a larger 

 number of healthy leaves than the starved plants, 

 and, finally, it is stated that from these experiments 

 " it would seem that the great advantage accruing to 

 carnivorous plants from a supply of nitrogenous food 

 to the leaves is the power of producing a vastly 

 superior yield of seeds ; and," the author adds, " I 

 venture to think that the above experiments prove 

 beyond question that the supply of meat to Drosera 

 is of signal advantage to the plants." Similar experi- 

 ments in Germany in which the plants were fed with 



