PITCHER-PLANTS (MNepenthes) 
4 
The plate represents a typical species (Wepenthes destillatoria) of 
a group of pitcher-plants which ranges from Madagascar through 
south and south-east Asia to the East Indies, Philippines, and 
tropical Australia. They live in damp forest-regions, at the side of 
pools, in the shallow water of which their seeds germinate. The 
leaves are modified in a remarkable manner for the purpose of’ 
catching and digesting flying-insects. The attached end of the 
leaf-stalk is broadened into a green expansion, followed by a 
tendril-like section, while the end of the stalk swells into a pitcher, 
which is overhung by a lid representing the blade of the leaf. In- 
sects are attracted by the bright colours of the pitchers, and the 
‘ nectar which is abundantly secreted around their openings and on 
the under side of their lids. But the inner side of the pitcher is as 
slippery as glass, and any insect that steps upon it quickly slides 
down into the contained fluid, which partly consists of a powerful 
digestive juice that reduces to solution the nutritious parts of the 
victim. The “peptonized insect-extract” thus prepared is absorbed 
by the lining of the pitcher, and constitutes a highly nutritious and 
stimulating food. 
