22 THE HUMAN SIDE OF PLANTS 



traps to "stinging" harpoon hairs, from hidden 

 snares to electric shocks. 



The bladderwort (Utricularia) is perhaps one 

 of the most strikingly ingenious fishing plants. 

 The bladderwort is dependent upon the water for 

 its food-supply, for from its stock of small animal 

 life the plant draws nourishment. The name of 

 this plant is derived from the small bladders or 

 fishing nets which are scattered over its leaves and 

 stems. In some countries, generally tropical 

 countries, the bladderwort actually grows on the 

 sides of trees, like numerous other air-plants, main- 

 taining its carnivorous habits and appetites, but 

 satisfying them with insects of the land instead of 

 aquatic animal life. But its general habitat is the 

 water, in small lakes, ponds, and wet ditches, and 

 there we must look if we would find it fishing for 

 its dinner. 



The bladders or sacs of the plant are apparently 

 devised especially to entrap animal life. Little 

 fish swim into a mouth or opening at one end of 

 the oval bladders and the doors swing in before 

 them allowing the fish to enter; but when they 

 would depart, the doors will not accommodatingly 

 open out, and the minnows find themselves pris- 

 oners. There they die and their decaying bodies 

 are slowly fed upon by the voracious plant. 



