Chap. XII. DROSERA CAPENSIS. 279 



1 m. 30 s. ; and in 1 hr. 10 m. reached the centre. Two bits of 

 boiled cork, one of boiled thread, and two of coal-cinders taken 

 from the fire, were placed, by the aid of an instrument which 

 had been immersed in boiling water, on five glands ; these super- 

 fluous precautions having been taken on account of M. Ziegler's 

 statements. One of the particles of cinder caused some inflection 

 in 8 hrs. 45 m., as did after 23 hrs. the other particle of cinder, 

 the bit of thread, and both bits of cork. Three glands were 

 touched half a dozen times with a needle ; one of the tentacles 

 became well inflected in 17 m., and re-expanded after 24 hrs.; the 

 two others never moved. The homogeneous fluid within the cells 

 of the tentacles undergoes aggregation after these have become 

 inflected ; especially if given a solution of carbonate of ammonia ; 

 and I observed the usual movements in the masses of proto- 

 plasm. In one case, aggregation ensued in 1 hr. 10 m. after a 

 tentacle had carried a bit of meat to the centre. From these 

 facts it is clear that the tentacles of Drosera anglua behave like 

 those of Drosera rotund/folia. 



If an insect is placed on the central glands, or has been 

 naturally caught there, the apex of the leaf curls inwards. 

 For instance, dead flies were placed on three leaves near their 

 bases, and after 24 hrs. the previously straight apices were curled 

 completely over, so as to embrace and conceal the flies ; they had 

 therefore moved through an angle of 180°. After three days the 

 apex of one leaf, together with the tentacles, began to re-expand. 

 But as far as I have seen — and I made many trials — the sides of 

 the leaf are never inflected, and this is the one functional differ- 

 ence between this species and Drosera rotundifolia. 



Drosera intermedia (Hayne). — This species is quite as common 

 in some parts of England as Drosera rotundifolia. It differs from 

 Drosera anglica, as far as the leaves are concerned, only in their 

 smaller size, and in their tips being generally a little reflexed. 

 They capture a large number of insects. The tentacles are excited 

 into movement by all the causes above specified ; and aggregation 

 ensues, with movement of the protoplasmic masses. I have seen, 

 through a lens, a tentacle beginning to bend in less than a 

 minute after a particle of raw meat had been placed on the 

 gland. The apex of the leaf curls over an exciting object as in 

 the case of Drosera anglica. Acid secretion is copiously poured 

 over captured insects. A leaf which had embraced a fly with 

 all its tentacles re-expanded after nearly three days. 



Drosera capensis. — This species, a native of the Cape of Good 

 Hope, was sent to me by Dr. Hooker. The leaves are elongated, 

 shghtly concave along the middle and taper towards the apex. 



