816 PINQUICULA VULGARIS. [Chap. XVL 



of protoplasm. No such effect is produced by the action of 

 non-nitrogenous fluids. After the glands have been excited 

 to secrete freely, they cease for a time to secrete, but begin 

 again in the course of a few days. 



Glands in contact with pollen, the leaves of other plants, 

 and various kinds of seeds, pour forth much acid secretion, 

 and afterwards absorb matter probably of an albuminous 

 nature from them. Nor can the benefit thus derived be 

 insignificant, for a considerable amount of pollen must be 

 blown from the many wind-fertilised carices, grasses, etc., 

 growing where Pinguicula lives, on to the leaves thickly 

 covered with viscid glands and forming large rosettes. Even 

 a few grains of pollen on a single gland causes it to secrete 

 copiously. We have also seen how frequently the small 

 leaves of Erica tetralix and of other plants, as well as various 

 kinds of seeds and fruits, especially of Carex, adhere to the 

 leaves. One leaf of the Pinguicula had caught ten of the 

 little leaves of the Erica; and three leaves on the same 

 plant had each caught a seed. Seeds subjected to the action 

 of the secretion are sometimes killed, or the seedlings injured. 

 We may therefore conclude that Pinguicula vulgaris, with its 

 small roots, is not only supported to a large extent by the 

 extraordinary number of insects which it habitually captures, 

 but likewise draws some nourishment from the pollen, leaves, 

 and seeds of other plants which often adhere to its leaves, 

 It is therefore partly a vegetable as well as an animal 

 feeder. 



Pinguicula orandiflora. 



This species is so closely allied to the last that it is ranked 

 by Dr. Hooker as a sub-species. It differs chiefly in the 

 larger size of its leaves, and in the glandular hairs near the 

 basal part of the midrib being longer. But it likewise 

 differs in constitution; I hear from Mr. Ralfs, who was so 

 kind as to send me plants from Cornwall, that it grows in 

 rather different sites; and Dr. Moore, of the Glasnevin 

 Botanic Gardens, informs me that it is much more manage- 

 able under culture, growing freely and flowering annually; 

 while Pinguicula vulgaris has to be renewed every year. 

 Mr. Ralfs found numerous insects and fragments of insects 

 adhering to almost all tbo leaves. These consisted chiefly 



