322 



THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST. 



Fig. 1876. 



of the species all of the branches are supplied 

 with leaves, the bladders being- distributed 

 among them ; other species have the foliage 

 and bladders on separate branches. 



The bladders are constructed in such a 

 manner that each is a trap specially designed 

 to catch very small animals. Their form and 

 general appearance is shown in Fig. 1877, 

 considerably magnified. The opening into 

 the bladder is at the base of the stiff tapering 

 bristles, which are so placed around it as 

 effectually to prevent any other than animals 

 small enough to enter the orifice from even 

 approaching. The entrance is formed with 

 four rounded angles, nearly square in out- 

 line. The under side or threshold is strongly 

 thickened, from which a solid cushion pro- 

 jects inward. To the upper side or lintel, is 

 fastened a thin transparent valve which 

 closes upon the cushion, completely shutting 

 the aperture. The valve is so elastic that 



it can be easily pushed up by the tiniest 

 animal on the outside and so get within ; as 

 soon as it has entered, the valve instantly 

 springs back to its normal position, and the 

 venturesome prisoner is a captive for life. 

 Over the entrance might most truly be 

 written, 



'■ Who enters here leaves hope behind." 

 See Fig. 1878 showing in outline the cushion 

 and valve magnified. Sooner or later the 

 captives die and decay. Lining the interior 

 surface of this prison house are cells specially 



Fig. 1877. 



designed to absorb the products of this 

 decay, which thus become a source of nitro- 

 gen to the plant. We learn from Kerner 

 that the number of animals fhus captured is 

 comparatively large, that most of them are 

 small crustaceans, supplemented by larvae of 

 gnats and other small insects. That they 

 must need be small, is evident from the fact 

 that the bladders themselves do not exceed 

 5 millimeters in diameter, about one-fifth 

 down to one-twelfth of an inch. What is it 



Fig. 1878. 



