688 CONSERVATIVE ORGANS. [LKCT. Xf. 



to intrap flies and other insects; this question 

 presents itself what benefit can result to the 

 plant from such a function? We may reply, 

 that there is reason for supposing that the plant 

 derives some advantage either from the putrefac- 

 tion of the dead insects, or from something which 

 can be obtained from animal matter; a suppo- 

 sition, the probability of which is much strength- 

 ened by an experiment made by a Mr. Knight *. 

 Having laid fine filaments of raw beef upon 

 the appendages of a plant of Dioncea, he found 

 that this plant was more luxuriant than any other 

 in the same place, although they were all treated 

 alike, with the exception of the supply of beef. 

 That some principle, therefore, is evolved during 

 the decomposition of animal matter, peculiarly 

 favourable to the growth of this plant, is pro- 

 bable, and to secure this, may be the intention of 

 its singular appendages. 



An appendage resembling that of the Dionoea, 

 in miniature, is found upon the glume of another 

 North American plant, the Leersia lenticularis. 



* Mr. Knight was, at the time of making the experiment, 

 gardener to George Hibbert, Esq. and is now a respectable 

 nursery-man in the King's Road, Chelsea. 



