iv. ] PREDA TOR Y PLA NTS. 67 



Pitcher-plants, described and figured in the following 

 chapter, catch and kill large numbers of small insects, 

 and there Is no doubt that some sort of digestive 

 process goes on in the remarkable vessels formed by 

 the leaves, and that the plant receives benefit from 

 its destructive habits. 



The exquisite sensitiveness of Dioncsa and Drosera 

 is remarkable, and there is something almost ludi- 

 crous in the notion of a plant getting its living by 

 false pretences, for undoubtedly Drosera does this. 

 We ourselves have no doubt that insects mistake the 

 round leaf, with its dewy-knobbed red hairs, for a 

 flower, and visit it in the hope of getting honey for 

 their pains. Yet there should be nothing surprising 

 in such mimicry, for it is carried on to a large extent 

 among animals. The Bamboo-insect and the Leaf- 

 insect imitate bamboo and leaves to perfection simply 

 for the purpose of approaching, or lying in wait for, 

 their prey without exciting suspicion. With many 

 butterflies and moths such mimicry takes the form of 

 protective colouring, so as to render them indistin- 

 guishable when on a tree-trunk, a lichen-covered 

 wall, or certain flowers. It is the same principle by 

 which frogs and toads, and many fishes, are able to 

 reflect from their skins the hues of surrounding 

 objects, and thus, on a cursory glance, to remain 

 invisible to their enemies. 



