188 HOME STUDIES IN NATURE. 



Chapter XIII. 



SARRACENIA VARIOLARIS. 



Early in March the new leaves of the pitcher-plant 

 (Sarracenia variolaris) begin to make their appearance, 

 and soon after the large yellow flower, with its droop- 

 ing petals, is very conspicuous everywhere on the damp 

 pine-barrens of Florida. It is one of the most remark- 

 able of all our insectivorous plants, and destroys by far 

 a larger number of insects than any carnivorous plant 

 with which I am acquainted. The leaves are from six 

 to twelve inches in length, hollow and trumpet-shaped ; 

 they stand very erect, and the opening is covered by a 

 rounded arching hood. Just below the hood the leaf 

 is spotted with pure white, and these spots are sur- 

 rounded by bright scarlet veins. The inner surface of 

 the hood is lined with brilliant colors : finely reticu- 

 lated veins of scarlet run over a yellowish ground. A 

 broad wing extends along one side of the" leaf from the 

 base to the opening at the summit ; the wing is bound 

 or edged by a purplish cord, which also extends around 

 the opening. This cord or edge of the wing is one of 

 the most wonderful features of the plant. (The flower 

 stem is much longer than is shown in our engraving.) 



