RAN ALES. 



557 



covered by a hood much as in Nepenthes (page 483), and in these water 

 is also found (undoubtedly a secretion in these cases) in which are many 

 decaying insects. Moreover, in these and some other species drops of a 

 sweetish honey-like substance are secreted on the leaves, which appar- 

 ently serve to lure insects to the margin of the pitcher. 



The California Pitcher Plant (Dnrlingtonia Ca ifornica) of the north- 

 ern part of California, has long tubular leaves which are arched over at 



FIG. 547. 



the top, so that the ori- 

 fice opens downward ; 

 from the orifice there 

 hangs down a forked 

 blade, which is more or 

 less covered with a 

 sweet secretion, and 

 within the tube there is 

 always found water 

 more or less filled with 

 insects. The arrange- 

 ment here is evidently 

 one well fitted to cap- 

 ture insects, which, 

 after maceration, are 

 absorbed for the 

 Fig. 646. Flower and leaves of Sorracenia purpurea. r , rknr ; a limpnt nf ihe 



X natural size.-From Le Maout and Decuisne. nourishment 



Fig. 547. Pistil cut vertically. From Le Maout and plant. 



Decaisne. The third genus, 



HeliampTiora, contains a single species, native of Venezuela. 



604. Cohort XXXVI. Banales. Flowers mostly actino- 

 morphic ; stamens rarely definite ; carpels free, very rarely 

 connate ; seeds with copious endosperm. 



Order Nympheeacese. The Water Lily Family. Aquatic herbs, 

 with usually floating peltate leaves; flowers solitary, monoclinous ; 

 petals and stamens generally numerous ; carpels mostly united, rarely 

 free. Species thirty-five, widely distributed. 



