83 



DIONJEA MUSC1PULJE, OR VENUS'S FLY- 

 TRAP. 



This newly discovered beautiful sensitive 

 plant is a native of America. In its construc- 

 tion nature seems to have had some view to- 

 wards its nourishment, in forming the upper 

 joint of its leaf like a machine to catch food ; 

 and placing it upon the middle of the bait for 

 the unhappy insect that become its prey. Many 

 minute red glands that cover its inner surface, 

 and which perhaps discharge some sweet liquor, 

 tempt the poor insect to taste them; and the 

 instant these tender parts are irritated by its 

 feet, the two lobes rise up, grasp it fast, 

 lock the two i*>ws of spines together, and 

 squeeze it to death. And further, lest the strong 

 efforts for life, in the creature thus taken, 

 should serve to disengage it, three small erect 

 spines are fixed near the middle of each lobe 

 among the glands, that effectually put an end to 

 all its struggles. Nor do the lobes ever open 

 again, while the dead animal continues there. 

 But it is nevertheless certain that the plant can- 

 not distinguish an animal from any other sub- 

 stance ; for, if we put a straw or a pin between 



