A FLOWER THAT TRAPS INSECTS 215 



and the club-shaped spadix which arises from the 

 leaves is very unpleasant and bitter, and the scarlet 

 berries which follow are highly poisonous, attractive 

 as they appear. 



Some of the members of this order have been noticed 

 to give out a certain amount of heat from the spadix 

 when the spathe, or sheath, the outer leaf, is expand- 

 ing ; and our cuckoo -pint by its heat will send up a 

 thermometer several degrees if one is inserted in the 

 spathe. The heat given off is, it would seem, to the 

 liking of insects, since certain midges have the habit 

 of entering the spathe to pay a visit to the flower-head 

 which it protects. 



When the cuckoo-pint is flowering in May and June, 

 if you cut it open you will find a number of insects 

 imprisoned within to whom you do a good turn by 

 setting them at liberty. When they started to creep 

 down the club of the flower-spike they passed through 

 a group of hairs all pointing downwards, so arranged 

 that though they could pass in they could not pass out 

 and so presently they found themselves fast 

 prisoners. 



But the plant cares for its captives, and treats them 

 to a shower of its pollen, on which they feed. After a 

 time the hairs of the trap wither, and the midges then 

 may crawl out, and are free once more. No doubt they 

 do some useful work for the plant, by carrying off with 

 them some of the pollen. Their life must be one 

 series of adventures as they pass in and out of their 

 flowery prisons. 



