72 On the North American Utricular ice. 



Observations on the North American Species of the Genus 

 Utricularia. By Capt. John Le Conte, of the U. S. 

 Army, F. L. S., he. Read January 5, 1824. 



From an attentive examination and comparison of the dif- 

 ferent individuals forming any particular genus, many facts of 

 importance may be educed, that we would not otherwise ar- 

 rive at. This minute and patient investigation alone can 

 disentangle the infinitely diversified forms of nature, that are 

 so closely interlaced, and that run so imperceptibly into each 

 other ; while the want of it introduces confusion and disorder 

 into all our attempts at their enumeration. 



The genus Utricularia, although far from being numerous 

 in species, yet from the want of proper attention, has been hi- 

 therto but imperfectly known. I have collected into this sum- 

 mary sketch all that at present can be found respecting it, as 

 far as relates to the species of this country. My chief aim has 

 been, to point out the real and proper differences between these 

 species ; to separate what is certain from what is doubtful ; and 

 above all, to correct the errors of our botanists with regard to 

 some, which have been confounded with plants but little re- 

 sembling them, in other parts of the world. I am conscious 

 of differing in many things from even our latest writers ; but 

 that method of close and accurate reasoning which should be 

 resorted to in all our pursuits after truth, has led me to the 

 conclusions which I have drawn. 



All the species of Utricularia in this country are empha- 

 tically water plants ; that is to say, they all inhabit either 

 water, or places that are generally inundated. With the ex- 

 ception of two or three, their roots (or leaves, as they have 

 been called by some) are long, branching, and capillary, more 

 or less furnished with utriculi or air bladders, by means of 

 which they float on or near the surface of the water. They 

 may be divided into three sections : 1 8t, such as only can ex- 



