160 



THE PITCHER PLANT. 



2, a flower seen be- 

 neath; 3, a flower seen 

 above ; 4, the stamens 

 and pistil ; 5, Sarra- 

 cdnia psittacina ; 6, 

 P. Drnmm6ndii, leaves 

 only. 



SPECIFIC CHARACTERS. We have before us (Fig. XLII, 

 1) the only northern species, distinguished from the others 

 by the leaves alone. These are in the form of a pitcher, 6-9' 



long, broadest near the mid- 

 dle, as a pitcher should be, 

 ascending, incurved, open, 

 bearing a broad wing along 

 the whole length on the inner 

 side, and at the top an erect 

 cordate, hood-like blade. The 

 hood and much of the tube 

 below is beset within by stiff, 

 sharp, reversed bristles. The 

 capacity is about half a wine- 

 glass, and the pitcher is generally filled with water containing 

 drowned insects. The flowers are deep brownish purple, 2-3' 

 broad, on a scape about 1 foot high. 



The Name of this genus is Sarracenia, conferred in honor 

 of Dr. Sarrazen of Quebec, who first sent it to Europe in 1640. 

 The specific name, purpurea, is unfortunate ; for its flowers 

 are sometimes yellow, and other species have purple flowers. 

 The Order SARRACENTACE^E, the Pitcher Plants, includes 

 3 genera, viz. , Sarracenia, Heliamphora of Guiana, and Dar- 

 lingtonia of California. All the species (9 or 10) are dis- 



7, Dionitea muscipula, or Venus's Fly- 

 trap : Leaves only. 



