134 , 



do not respond. Droseras can do without animal food, 

 but thrive better when it is added to their diet. If it is 

 given in excess the health of the plant is injuriously 

 affected. 



Droseras have flowers of the Saxifrage type, and are 

 only separated from that family on account of their 

 peculiar habit. There are four or five sepals, the same 

 number of white or pink petals, and generally the same 

 number of stamens ; all are inserted into the thalamus 

 close below the pistil. 



We have seven species, four of which have small shield - 

 like or kidney-shaped leaves. One of these, Drosera pyg- 

 moea, is very small, bright red, and close to the ground; 

 it could be completely covered by a sixpence. Drosera 

 binata is often a foot high, with leaves shaped like a tun- 

 ing-fork. Drosera arcturi grows on the top of mountains,, 

 and bears long flat leaves and single white flowers. 



The other genus of our carnivorous plants is more scarce, 

 and though there are four species, only Butterfly Plant is 

 likely to be gathered. The flowers ars generally borne in 

 a single pair at the apex of a slender stalk a few inchec 

 high. Purple or white, with a small upper lip and a large 

 spreading lower one; they are very conspicuous in some 

 wet places. Where they grow on the ground the leaves are 

 few, small, narrow, and green, close at the base of the 

 stalk ; but when the leaves find themselves in water, they 

 grow into long branched strings that bear numerous little 

 colourless sacks. Each sack has a peculiar mouth that 

 permits the entrance of a small animal, but prevents its 

 escape. Little glands on the inner surface secrete a fluid 

 similar to gastric juice, which proceeds without apology to 

 digest the unfortunate victim. 



