128 ARISTOLOCHIA GIGAS 



in hothouses in England for the singularity 

 and handsome appearance of their flowers, 

 although their colours are by no means 

 brilliant. 



The flowers of various species act as fly- 

 traps. They are bent in the middle and are 

 lined with hairs pointing downwards, so that 

 ingress is easy, but escape impossible to the 

 insect, which ultimately aids in the ripening 

 of the seed. 



The plant, especially the root, possesses 

 many kinds of medicinal qualities, several of 

 which could only be referred to in a medical 

 work. 



So satisfied are the natives of Mexico, Peru, 

 and Central America of its extraordinary 

 medicinal properties and specific virtues in 

 cases of snake-bite, that every Indian or negro 

 who has to traverse the country invariably 

 has a supply of this friendly plant in a dry 

 or prepared state, to meet any accident that 

 may befall him from inadvertently placing his 

 foot upon one of these dreaded and deadly 

 foes of mankind. 



