THE DRAWING OF THE SEINE. 187 



gether with the branches of the ' antennae,' form a sort 

 of hollow cone surrounding the entrance, and there can- 

 not be the slightest doubt that thej act as a guide for 

 the prey. 



" The entrance is clobcd by a valve, which, being at- 

 tached above, slopes into the cavity of the bladder, and 

 is attached to it on all sides except at its posterior or 

 lower margin, which is free, and forms one side of the 

 slit-like opening leading into the bladder." 



In other words, it is a mouse - trap arrangement that 

 is easily entered but does not work both ways, and so, 

 once in, there is an impassable barrier that bars all 

 egress. 



Of course, such a plant is of exceeding interest, 

 and one is prompted to gather every specimen, and 

 scan the bladders; but do not expect to find fish in 

 them always. In the main ditch of a neighbor's 

 meadow there is an abundance of the plant, and often 

 I sweep the hand - net through them for such small fry 

 as may be lurking in their midst ; and it is very seldom, 

 even in early spring, when the newly hatched fish are 

 abundant, that I find any entrapped in the "bladders" 

 of this plant. Minute larvae are found, and even di- 

 minutive mollusks, but seldom, indeed, any trace of the 

 very youngest even of our cyprinoids, which, in fact, are 

 the only species likely to be caught, as most of the 

 others do not, when very young, frequent waters where 

 this plant is likel}' to grow. 



So much has been written upon the subject lately, 

 particularly with reference to the danger of allowing it 

 to grow in carp ponds, that it is fitting to call especial 



