144 



THE SCIENCE OF LIFE. 



rel family are the Laurel, Bay, Camphor, Sassafras, and 

 Cinnamon trees. 



The Pitcher-plants (Nepenthes) are among the curiosi- 

 ties of the vegetable world, on account of the pitcher 



formed at the end of the 

 leaf. This is furnished 

 with a lid, and contains 

 a limpid fluid secreted 

 by glands in the cavity, 



I K-Wk^ ^^ and in sufficient quanti- 



ty to drown flies and 

 other insects which fall 

 into it. (Fig. 60.) Since 

 the publication of Mr. 

 Darwin's " Insectivorous 

 Plants/' these secreting 

 leaves (together with 

 those of several other 

 species) have attracted 

 much attention, as in all 

 probability there is in 

 these arrangements provision for a true digestion, as in 

 the case of animals. 



The Euphorbiacecz, or Spurge family, contains many 

 trees, shrubs, and herbs, abounding in acrid milky juice, 

 which is generally poisonous. Siphonia elastica is one of 

 the plants which supplies caoutchouc, or India-rubber. 

 The seeds of Croton Tiglium affords Croton oil, and those 

 of Ricinus communis (or Palma Christi) furnish Castor- 

 oil. In the root of Janipha Manihot there is much 

 starchy matter mingled with a volatile poison. The lat- 



FIG. 60. Pitcher-plant, (Nepenthes distil- 

 latorza-.) 



