Modified Parts. 



H3 



pitcher is a lid (see Fig. 71), which may correspond to the 

 blade of the leaf. The lid, in the mature pitchers, stands 

 open, and may serve as an attraction for insects. The 

 border of the mouth of the pitcher is rolled inward and 

 downward, and often there are 

 stout teeth extending downward 

 on the inner edge of this border. 

 Honey glands occur on the out- 

 side of the pitcher, on the in- 

 rolled border, and on the inner 

 surface of the lid; by this means 

 insects which alight on any por- 

 tion of the pitcher are lured to 

 the edge of the open mouth. 

 Once over the border, the insect 

 slips into the pitcher, which con- 

 tains a fluid having digestive 

 properties, and so the insect be- 

 comes digested and absorbed. 



The pitcher plant called Dar- 

 Imgtonia shows a still greater 

 degree of modification. In this 

 plant the top of the pitcher 

 arches over so that the mouth 

 is directed downward (see Fig. 

 72), while extending beyond the 

 border of the opening is a bi- 

 parted, brightly tinted expansion somewhat in the form of 

 a pennant, which no doubt acts as an attraction to insects. 

 The arched dome, or helmet, at the top of the pitcher 

 is marked with red, and studded over with spots desti- 

 tute of color, so that the light can shine through them as 

 through a window. Nectar glands on the outer surface of 



Fig. 71. 

 Nepenthes villosa. After Kerner. 



