138 White to Green and Brown Flowers 



hairs or tentacles, which at once begin to bend in over the 

 unfortunate insect and imprison it within a network from 

 which escape is impossible. Then the glands begin to exude 

 an acid digestive fluid, and the Sundew proceeds to batten 

 and fatten upon the meat in its larder. Inorganic sub- 

 stances (with the exception of those which are required by 

 plants for their sustenance, such as phosphate of ammonia, 

 carbonate of ammonia and nitrate of ammonia) do not 

 affect the Sundew, which possesses such extremely delicate 

 sensibilities that it instantly recognizes the difference be- 

 tween organic and inorganic matter. Darwin's experi- 

 ments with this plant have shown us that infinitesimal 

 particles of vegetable or animal substance will cause the 

 hairs to bend over, while a grain of sand leaves them unin- 

 fluenced. 



Drosera longifolia, or Long-leaved Sundew, has erect 

 elongated spatulate leaves narrowed into a long stalk, which 

 are covered with glandular hairs like the preceding species. 

 The white flowers grow in a terminal cluster. 



LEPTARRHENA 



Leptarrhena amplexifolia. Saxifrage Family 



Stems: six to fifteen inches high, rigid, with one or two small leaves 

 with sheathing petioles. Leaves: obovate coarsely serrate above the 

 middle, attenuate below to a short-winged petiole, which is dilated and 

 sheathing at the base. Flowers: numerous, in bracted paniculate ra- 

 cemes; petals five, entire, linear, white; calyx campanulate. Fruit: car- 

 pels purple-red, divergent. 



A very handsome plant, with closely clustered flower- 

 heads and thick glossy leaves. In seed it is remarkable for 

 its rich purple-red appearance. It grows in quantities near 

 many alpine streams. 



