The West American Scientist, 



Vol. 1 1. 



OCTOBER, 1886. 



No. 19. 



DARLINGTONIA CALIFORNICA. 



MUCH attention of late years has been given to the study 

 _^ and culture of insectivorous plants by botanists and 

 ®®® horticulturists. Probably none of these curious plants 

 has attracted more notice than the Darlingtonia of California, 

 which is represented below. 



This Californian plant is a peren- 

 nial herb of a greenish -yellow hue, 

 with tubular and hooded leaves and 

 nodding purplish flowers. In its na- 

 tive state it is found in mountain 

 swamps and along the borders of 

 brooks, at an elevation of from 1,000 

 to 6,000 feet, from Truckee Pass to 

 the borders of Oregon. 



It belongs to the same family as 

 the Sarracenia, or pitcher-plant, of the 

 East, and the curious leaves are con- 

 trived and fashioned in such a way as 

 to form one of the most remarkable 

 natural fly-traps known. 

 One side of the leaf is mottled and gayly colored, to 

 attract the fancy of any insect that may be near or flying 

 past. An insect upon alighting and roaming over the surface, 

 soon enters upon a broad and open road. A line of honey 

 entices him on to an orifice on the under side of an inflated 

 sac near the summit. An expansion, like a fence, borders 

 the road on either side and gradually narrows it in. Sharp 

 bristles, all pointing one way, beset the path and makes an 

 onward course the natural one to travel, directly into the 

 dangerous opening that yawns above, and the way is sweet- 

 ened with honey besides. 



New pastures of honey tempt the unfortunate victim with- 

 in the vaulted chamber. When satiated and he would leave, 



