118 TALKS AFIELD. 



Carnivorous Plants, 



It is au interesting discovery of modem 

 science that many plants catch small ani- 

 mals and eat them. It is a discovery which 

 taxes our credulity if we accept it, and still 

 one which is easy of verification by every 

 one. Few discoveries relating to animals 

 and plants have excited more wonder or 

 called forth more comment than this. This 

 comment has not been confined to scientific 

 journals ; nearly every periodical has had 

 something to say about it. 



" What 's this I hear 

 About the new carnivora ? 



Can little plants 



Eat bugs and ants 



And gnats and flies ? — 

 A sort of retrograding : 



Surely the fare 



Of flowers is air, 



Or sunshine sweet; 



They shouldn't eat, 

 Or do aught so degrading." 



Although the statement that many plants 

 are truly carnivorous is startling, it is never- 

 theless verified by abundant investigations, 

 and it has taken its place among the undis- 

 puted facts of botanical science. We can 

 best understand the nature of carnivorous 



