io8 FREAKS OF PLANT LIFE. 



which was far below that of the normal temperature 

 in which the plant flourishes. In the latter case, as 

 soon as the plant was taken back into a higher, and 

 more normal temperature, the immersed substances 

 were immediately acted upon. 



Comparing the action of meat, and other substances, 

 placed in tubes containing fluid drawn from the 

 pitchers, with similar substances placed in tubes 

 containing distilled water, it was observed that dis- 

 integration was three times as rapid in the fluid 

 as in the water, but this disintegration was wholly 

 different in its character from that which followed 

 the immersion of like substances in the fluid still 

 contained in the pitchers of growing plants. 



The conclusions arrived at from the above ex- 

 periments were thus summarised. " From these ob- 

 servations it Avould appear probable that a substance 

 acting as pepsine is given off from the inner wall 

 of the pitcher, but chiefly after placing animal 

 matter in the acid fluid ; but whether this active 

 agent flows from the glands, or from the cellular 

 tissue in \\hich they are imbedded, I have no evi- 

 dence to show." ^ 



Reverting to the lids of the pitchers, on which 

 honey-secreting glands arc stated to have been found 

 in all species but one, it must be recorded that Dr. 



1 Dr. Hooker's Address at British Association, Belfast Meeting. 



