118 



bindweed, Convolviihis sericatus, was found. Viola rotundifolia 

 also was found here, as well as in adjacent South Carolina, thus 

 considerably extending its known range. The speaker exhibited 

 a large number of specimens, several of them new to South 

 Carolina, and commented upon their distribution. 



"Observations on the Nutrition o{ Sarracenia,'' by Winifred J. 

 Robinson. 



Plants of Sarracenia purpurea, the common northern pitcher- 

 plant, were exhibited and several colored illustrations of the plant 

 in flower were shown. 



The present series of experiments was undertaken under 

 the direction of Professor William J. Gies, at the New York 

 Botanical Garden in the summer and autumn of 1907, to de- 

 termine the digestive power of Sarracenia purpurea, on carbo- 

 hydrates, fats, and proteins. Solutions of great difference in 

 concentration were introduced into the pitchers and it was found 

 that they resisted distilled water and 33^ per cent, sugar solu- 

 tion equally well. Acid and alkaline solutions of a very low con- 

 centration had no apparent effect upon the pitchers, but a 0.5 per 

 cent, solution of acetic acid and a i per cent, solution of potas- 

 sium nitrate both proved injurious. Sachs's nutrient solution 

 caused the pitchers to decay within a few days. Liebig's meat- 

 extract was used as a test of the effect of a stimulant. Bac- 

 teria and infusoria developed in great numbers and decay began 

 in a few days. Solutions of milk in distilled water of different 

 proportions were used, from the results of which it was inferred 

 that the pitcher produced an alkaline substance which reacted 

 with the acid produced in a very dilute solution of milk, but was 

 not sufficient to neutralize solutions of greater strength. There 

 was nothing to indicate that the milk fat or protein was digested. 

 Solutions of grape-sugar and cane-sugar of different proportions 

 were placed in the pitchers and there were no indications of 

 a detrimental effect upon them. With Fehling's solution, the 

 contents of the pitcher, after the sugar solution had been allowed 

 to remain in them several days, gave a reddish precipitate of 

 copper oxide, indicating the presence of invert sugar. The re- 

 duction was most marked in a 10 per cent, solution of cane-sugar. 



