DODECATHEON. 161 



tinguished for having ascidia, that is, leaves which hold 

 water like pitchers, and are probably alike carnivorous. 



CARNIVOROUS PLANTS. One of the most wonderful 

 results of recent botanical investigation is to show that 

 certain plants are expressly contrived to entrap and digest 

 insects, and are therefore carnivorous in habit. In Sarra- 

 cenia the glistening water at the bottom of the pitchers and 

 the sweet secretion on the leaf are fitted to entice inquisi- 

 tive flies, etc., to alight. Then, the reversed bristles facili- 

 tate their entrance, but forbid their return. Finally, the 

 inner surface of the tube secretes a fluid capable of digest- 

 ing the animal matter and probably also of assimilating it 

 for the growth of the plant.* 



XLIII. THE AMERICAN COWSLIP. 



Description. This notable plant adorns our woods and 

 prairies, in May and June, from Pennsylvania westward ; 

 but at the approach of the ploughman it flees to the wilder- 

 ness unless enticed by the gentler arts of the gardener. Its 

 numerous names, as Pride-of-Ohio, Shooting-Star, Dodeca- 

 theon, are its titles of nobility ; and its aspect, acaulescent 

 like Pyrola and Sarracenia, with a radical crown of leaves 



* Among the other carnivorous plants are Venus's Fly Trap (Dioncea muscipula, 

 native of N. Carolina), the Sundew (Droserd), and the East Indian Pitcher Plant 

 (Nepenthes). In the first named (Fig. XLII, 7) there is a curious trap at the end of 

 the leaf. Along the edges are rows of bristles which have been aptly compared to 

 the eye-lashes. On each side within are three more exceedingly sensitive hairs. If 

 one of these be touched by an insect crawling over the leaf, the two sides will 

 instantly shut upon the hapless prisoner, the fringe on the edge interlacing like th 

 fingers of the two clasped hands. The fluid secreted by the leaf immediately flows 

 out, apparently to aid in the digestion of the animal food thus ingeniously caught. 

 This natural trap may be sprung by dropping into it a piece of meat. In the Dar- 

 lingtonia there is a bait an appendage smeared on the inside with honey hanging 

 at the entrance of the tube, enticing insects to go within. 



