OTHEK METHODS OF OBTAINING FOOD 199 



brought into contact with more and more of the drops, be- 

 coming hopelessly captured. The stimulus of contact pro- 

 vokes a movement of the stalked glands, all of which slowly 

 bend over and bring their viscid heads to bear upon the 

 struggling insect. The same disturbance causes an outflow 

 of acid enzyme-containing secretion, which surrounds the 

 prey, and digestion and absorption follow as before. After 



2b 



FIG. 96. LEAF OF Dioncea muscipula. 



1, open ; 2, closed : a, lateral view, b, surface view ; 3, one of the sensitive 

 spines ( x 60) ; 4, glands on the surface of the leaf (_x 100). 



a time the glands unfold again and resume their normal 

 attitude, and the leaf is ready to receive another visitor. 



Dionaea affords an instance in which the movement of 

 capture is effected with greater rapidity. Like most of the 

 insectivorous plants it possesses a rosette of leaves which 

 rest upon the ground, and from the centre of the rosette 

 it gives off a single inflorescence. The leaves are very 

 different from those of Drosera. They have a flat ex- 

 panded petiole, at the end of which the lamina is attached 



