150 THE HUMAN SIDE OF PLANTS 



by their rich, massive beauty. Surely their insect- 

 catching is justified; for they are fertilised only by 

 flying insects, and they must protect the honey 

 which is to pay the bees and the butterflies for their 

 labour. 



Indeed, there is generally a cause which should 

 at least partially excuse the questionable actions of 

 plants. With most kidnapping plants the act is one 

 of self-defence; and surely self-preservation is the 

 first right of every living thing! True, Venus's 

 fly-trap, the sundews, and others, do lure their prey 

 that the insects may be killed and eaten by the vora- 

 cious plants; but in spite of these far from admi- 

 rable habits there are many beautiful characteristics 

 which are always evident in plants that kidnap. 



