INSECTIVOROUS PLANTS. 191 



they unfold and let the wings and legs and other 

 indigestible portions fall off. 



But the most beautiful and curious species is 

 the Thread-leaved Sundew (D. filiformis). Its 

 leaves are erect, and from six to twelve inches in 

 length simply thread-like and covered with ten- 

 tacles and glands from base to tip. It grows from 

 a little bulb usually in pure white sand in springy 

 places so that the sand is gently overflowed with 

 water. I do not know of any other plant more 

 attractive than this. It looks so fresh and clean 

 and sparkling in the pure sand and water. The 

 viscid dew makes it look as if covered with little 

 gems of various hues. The flower-scape is a trifle 

 longer than the leaves, and bears charming rose- 

 purple flowers an inch or more across. 



Hosts of insects are lured by the brightness of 

 the plants, which they no sooner touch than they 

 are held captive. And here we can see that it 

 looks as if the plants needed them for food, grow- 

 ing as they do in sand and water. This species 

 kills and consumes much larger insects than either 

 of the others. Great dragon-flies, butterflies, and 

 moths, as well as two-winged flies, are caught and 

 killed. 



The long leaves, standing erect and thickly to- 



