128 FREAKS OF PLANT LIFE. 



that pollen from flowers, the leaves of other plants, 

 and different small seeds, when they came in contact 

 with the glands caused considerable acid secretion. 

 He considers that albuminous matter would be 

 dissolved out of them and absorbed by the glands. 

 Hence, he says, " we may conclude that the Pin- 

 guicula, with its small roots, is not only supported to 

 a large extent by the extraordinary number of insects- 

 which it habitually captures, but likewise draws some 

 nourishment from the pollen, leaves, and seeds of 

 other plants which often adhere to its leaves. It is 

 therefore partly a vegetable as well as animal feeder."^ 



Two other species, or reputed species, of Pinguicula. 

 which are indigenous to these islands were also ex- 

 amined with similar results. As for Pingiiicula 

 Lnsitanica^ the chief difference appeared to be that 

 in this plant the margins when excited were more 

 strongly inflexed, and the inflection lasted for a 

 longer period of time. The glands also apparently 

 were more stimulated to increased secretion when in 

 contact with bodies not yielding soluble nitrogenous 

 matter, than was the case with the common butter- 

 wort. In other respects they all agreed, and all alike 

 merit the appellation of insectivorous plants. 



Apropos of this we may cite some remarks by one 

 who did not believe or accept the carnivorous theory, 



1 Darwin, " Insectivorous Plants," p. 390. 



