177 
Perhaps you wonder how it happens that dead insects 
are found in every one of these pitchers; and possibly 
you will be surprised to learn that apparently these 
curious leaves are built for the express purpose of 
capturing insects. 
It is easy to understand that these odd leaves are not 
so well fitted as more simple ones to cook the plant’s 
food in the sun, or to take.carbon from the air; but if 
they are unfitted to provide and prepare ordinary food, 
possibly they are designed to secure food that is 
extraordinary. 
It seems likely that the pitcher plant is not content 
to live, like other plants, upon the simple food that is 
taken in from the earth and from the air. We are led 
to believe that it wishes something more substantial ; 
that it needs a meat diet; and that to secure this, it 
teaches its leaves to capture flies and insects in order 
that it may suck in their juices. 
These leaves are veined in a curious and striking 
fashion. The bright-colored veins may convince the 
insects of the presence of the sweet nectar in which they 
delight. At all events, in some way they are tempted 
to enter the hollow leaf; and, once they have crawled 
or tumbled down its slippery inner surface, they find it 
impossible to crawl back again, owing to the stiff hairs, 
pointing downward, which line the upper part of the 
pitcher. 
Even if they have wings, it is difficult for them to fly 
upward in so straight a line as would be necessary to 
etfect’ their :escape. 
When tired out in their efforts to get out of this cruel 
DANA’S PLANTS. — I2 
