200 PEARLS AND PEBBLES. 



or for the fluids contained in these beautiful natural 

 vases seems most likely, and having entered, the stiff, 

 reflexed hairs that line the tubes form a barrier to their 

 exit. The consequence is that they are either drowned, 

 which is most probably their fate, or made prisoners for 

 life. The trap proves fatal to the unwary flies, but 

 the plant^can in nowise be answerable for their death. 

 They had no business to intrude themselves uninvited 

 on the premises, and so there can be no case of wilful 

 murder against the pitcher plants. The verdict is 

 " accidental death," and an impartial jury, could such 

 be called, would say, " Serves them right ! what business 

 had they there ? " 



Nor can it be proved that the plants derive any 

 benefit from the intrusion of the insects otherwise than 

 that all vegetables feed on the carbonic exhalations 

 arising from decomposing animal or vegetable matter. 



The pitcher plant is the northern representative of a 

 most remarkable order. It occurs both in Canada and 

 all over the continent of North America, and if not so 

 wonderful in appearance as some of the magnificent 

 tropical species, it is too singular in structure and habits 

 to be passed by without notice. 



Well worth seeing, indeed, is a bed of pitcher plants, 

 especially in the month of June, their flowering time. 



The tall, naked scape bears one large deep red 

 blossom. From the globular five-rayed ovary rises a 

 short, pillar-like style which expands into a thin yellow 



