Cuap. XII] DROSERA CAPENSIS, 225 
caused some inflection in 8 hrs. 45 m., as did after 23 hrs. the other 
particle of cinder, the bit of thread, and both bits of cork. Three 
glands were touched half a dozen times with a needle; one of the 
tentacles became well inflected in 17 m., and re-expanded after 24 
hrs.; the two others never moved. ‘The homogeneous fluid within the 
cells of the tentacles undergoes aggregation after these have become 
inflected ; especially if given a solution of carbonate of ammonia; and 
I observed the usual movements in the masses of protoplasm. In one 
case, aggregation ensued in 1 hr. 10 m. after a tentacle had carried 
a bit of meat to the centre. From these facts it is clear that the 
tentacles of Drosera anglica behave like those of Drosera rotundi- 
Solia, 
If an insect is placed on the central glands, or has been naturally 
caught there, the apex of the leaf curls inwards, For instance, dead 
flies were placed on three leaves near their bases, and after 24 hrs. the 
previously straight apices were curled completely over, so as to embrace 
and conceal the flies; they had therefore moved through an angle of 
180°, After three days the apex of one leaf, together with the tentacles, 
began to re-expand. But as far as I have seen—and I made many 
trials—the sides of the leaf are never inflected, and this is the one 
functional difference between this species and Drosera rotundifvlia. 
Drosera intermedia (Hayne). ‘Ihis species is quite as common in 
some parts of England as Droserw rotundifolia. It differs from 
Drosera anglica, as far as the leaves are concerned, only in their 
smaller size, and in their tips being generally a little reflexed. They 
capture a large number of insects. ‘lhe tentacles are excited into 
movemeut by all the causes above specified; and aggregation ensues, 
with movement of the protoplasmic masses. I have seen, through a 
lens, a tentacle beginning to bend in less than a minute after a 
particle of raw meat had been placed on the gland. The apex of the 
leaf curls over an exciting object as in the case of Drosera anglica. 
Acid secretion is copiously poured over captured insects. A leaf which 
had embraced a fly with all its tentacles re-expanded after nearly three 
days. 
Drosera capensis.—This species, a native of the Cape of Good Hope, 
was sent to me by Dr. Hooker. The leaves are elongated, slightiy 
concave along the middle and taper towards the apex, which is bluntly 
pointed and reflexed. ‘They rise from an almost woody axis, and their 
greatest peculiarity consists in their foliaceous green footstalks, which 
are almost as broad and even longer than the gland-bearing blade. 
This species, therefore, probably draws more nourishment from the air, 
and less from captured insects, than the other species of the genus. 
Nevertheless, the tentacles are crowded together on the disc, and are 
extremely numerous; those on the margins being much longer than 
the central ones. All the glands have the same form; their secretion 
i3 extremely viscid and acid. 
The specimen which I examined had only just recovered from a 
weak state of health, This may account for the tentacles moving 
Q 
