PLANTS THAT EAT INSECTS 19 



These orchids are not considered insect eaters, but 

 they undoubtedly draw a certain amount of nour- 

 ishment from the decayed bodies of their insect- 

 prey. 



The habits of the carnivorous plants are such 

 that it is not unreasonable to suppose that it is 

 merely a matter of proportion that determines the 

 size of the prey such plants would be able to kill 

 and eat ; that, in truth, were the plant of sufficiently 

 great development, it might even become strong 

 enough to kill a man. In fact, more than one 

 traveller reports that such a plant does exist, and 

 is the terror of the natives where it grows. 



This man-eating plant grows in Nicaragua, near 

 Lake Nicaragua, and is always found in the deep 

 swamps. The natives have rightfully named it 

 "Devil's-snare" ; and for horror it has no rival. 

 This vampire-vine is not unlike the weeping willow 

 denuded of its leaves, but it is of a blackish-brown 

 colour, covered with a thick gluey resin, that aids 

 it in binding its prey. By means of its finger-like 

 claws it is enabled to catch small animals, and en- 

 velop them in a network of its diabolical arms. 

 Here they are hopelessly held until the last drop 

 of blood is drawn from their bodies by its infini- 

 tesimal sucking-mouths. 



There is an insidious suggestion in the habits of 



