October 12th, 1896.] Proceedings. vii. 



Rovidula dentata and R. govgonias, with pink flowers, from the 

 Cape ; Byblis liniflova, with blue flowers, from North Aus- 

 tralia ; Dioncea muscipula, which Mr. Melvill gathered near 

 Wilmington, North Carolina, in 1872; it being only found in 

 two localities in the world, one in North, the other in South 

 Carolina ; the curious yellow-flowered Drosophyllum lusitani- 

 cum, peculiar to the Iberian peninsula ; and last, but not 

 least, the aquatic European Aldvovanda vesiculosa. 



The assemblage of Drosera and allies constitute a re- 

 markably interesting group, whether viewed aesthetically, 

 congenencally, or geographically. Three species alone inhabit 

 Europe, all being found on our peat moors, within a walk of 

 Manchester. 



Mr. Charles Bailey expressed doubts as to whether the 

 experiments made on these, so-called, carnivorous plants 

 were sufficiently conclusive to establish the alleged fact that 

 such plants absorb nourishment from the captured insects 

 through their leaves, owing to the absence of suitable organs 

 therein; and suggested that a more reasonable explanation 

 of the benefit derived by the plant, from the products of 

 decomposition, was that the nutrient matter was conveyed 

 by rain and dew down the leaf-stalks (which were frequently 

 channeled) and stems to the ground, whence it was absorbed 

 through the appropriate organs in the roots. In this way, 

 too, the insects captured by the glands on the surface of 

 the stems of the catchflies (Silene), and on the stems and 

 leaves of other plants not counted carnivorous, ultimately 

 furnished nutriment to the plants through their roots. 

 Similarly the pitchers of Nepenthes, with their engulfed 

 insect-remains would, on the decay or rupture of the 

 pitchers, provide the roots of the plant, through the soil, 

 with a highly-charged liquid manure. 



