SUNDEW FAMILY. 



DROSERACEJE. 



Sundew. Drosera rotnndifolia. 



Found on swampy ground in July and August. 



A little plant growing close to the earth and sending up a flower- 

 ing stem about 3 or 4 inches in height. 



The small, round leaves, slightly hollowed like a shallow saucer, 

 are tough, light green in color, and covered with short, curling, red hairs 

 that exude a clear gummy liquid from their tips ; they are set on short, 

 flat stems, and arranged in a tuffet. 



The small flower has its parts sometimes in fives and again in 

 sixes ; their white petals are rounded at the tips, and the calyx is light 

 green ; they are placed in a close, one-sided spire, that curls over at the 

 tip, on the top of a slender, erect, red stem, rising from the middle of 

 the leaf-cluster. 



The red hairs on the leaves tipped with clear fluid sparkle as 

 though with dew ; this is the gummy substance that catches the un- 

 wary insects which alight and detains them to their everlasting doom, — 

 it is said that this hairy little vegetable has a cannibal's appetite for 

 flesh, and draws nourishment from these victims. The Sundew grows 

 close among the pale green swamp-moss, and can only be detected by 

 close observation ; when in bud it can be more easily discovered 

 through its red flower-stem. It is extremely difficult to find it in 

 blossom or to decide as to the conditions favorable to its unfolding:, — 

 when at length surprised, it will be found with only one flower open, 

 its face set toward the zenith. 



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