THE LEAP 193 
digests the meal. After a number of days, varying according 
to the digestibility of the diet, the blades slowly unfold again 
and are ready for another capture. 
The bladderwort, common in pools and still waters nearly 
everywhere, has its petioles transformed into floats, while 
Fic. 264. — Bladderwort, showing finely dissected submerged leaves 
bearing bladders for capturing animalcule. 
the finely dissected, rootlike blades bear little bladders which, 
when examined under the microscope, are found to contain 
the decomposed remains of captured animalcule. 
Practical Questions 
1. Can you find any kind of leaf that is not preyed upon by something ? 
If so, how do you account for its immunity ? 
2. Make a list of some of the most striking of the protected leaves of 
your neighborhood. 
3. What is the nature of the protective organ in each case? 
4, For protection against what does it seem to be specially adapted ? 
5. Are the plants in your list for the most part useful ones, or trouble- 
some weeds? 
