164 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA 
the fluid found within the tube, and of the leaf itself, would be of service to 
decide this point, but the structure of the plant prevents the rejection of par- 
ticles not needed for its subsistence, as is the case with Drosera, Utricularia, 
and Dionea. It would appear that all order of insects are lured to the fatal 
embrace of Darlingtonia, and it astonished me to find that I could recognize 
80 Many species among the remains I examined. I cut open and carefully 
studied the contents of about forty tubes in all, and found that I could dis- 
tinguish no less than forty-three species of insects, which I am able to tabu- 
late as follows: 
Order—Coleoptera: Genera—Platynus, Serica, Coccinella (2), Hippodamia; 
number of species, five. 
Order—Hymenoptera: Genera—Apis, Vespa, Ichnewmon; number of spe- 
cies, three. 
Order—Orthoptera: Genera—Acrydium (2), Tettix (?); number of species, 
three. 
Order—Neuroptera: Genera—Mantispa, Myrmeleo, Agrion; number of spe- 
cies, three. 
Order— Diptera: Genera—Tipula, Musca, Tachina, Asilus; number of 
species, twenty or more. 
Order—Lepidoptera: Genera—Colias, Agrotis, Botys; number of species, 
three. 
Order—Hemiptera: Genera—Notonecta, Reduvins (?) (2); number of spe- 
cies, four. 
Order—Arachinda: Genera—(unknown); number of species, two. 
It is probable that this list could have been very considerably increased, 
but I was sufficiently convinced that all the insect orders were represented in 
the seething pot of the Darlingtonia’s kitchen. The greenest tubes—those 
which are of comparatively recent growth—seem to be less attractive to insects, 
and I have always found the largest quantity of remains in those which are 
richest and deepest in color. Across the opening of the hood a small spider, 
seemingly allied to the genus Thomisus, spins its web, as if aware of the 
attractive nature of the plant, and conscious that its own prey could be thus 
easily captured. I have also invariably found among the mass of decay some 
living larve of a small dipterous insect, probably one of the Tipulide ; and I 
observe that a similar circumstance has been recorded by Dr. I. F. Melli- 
champ of Bluffton, North Carolina, with reference to the pitchers of Sarracenia 
variolosa. Dr. Mellichamp’s paper is so interesting that I make no apology 
for transcribing the following: ‘‘ The base of the tube of S. variolosa secretes 
a watery fluid, which is not sweet nor odorous, but which proves quickly fatal 
to all insects that fall into it. The whole inner surface is covered with very 
minute, closely appressed prickles, perfectly smooth, and pointed downwards, 
which render it impossible for an insect to ascend by walking, even when 
the leaf is laid nearly horizontal. Within the somewhat dilated rim of the 
tube, there is a band half an inch in width, dotted with a sweet secretion, 
attractive to insects, but not intoxicating. This also extends downwards to 
the edge of the outer wing to the very ground, thus alluring many creeping 
