286 DIONZA MUSCIPULA. Cuar. XJIL 
a 
CHAPTER XIII. 
DIONZA MUSOIPULA. 
Structure of the leaves—Sensitiveness of the filaments — Rapid 
movement of the lobes caused by irritation of the filaments — 
Glands, their power of secretion —Slow movement caused by the 
absorption of animal matter— Evidence of absorption from the 
aggregated condition of the glands — Digestive power of the secre- 
tion — Action of chloroform, ether, and hydrocyanic acid —The 
manner in which insects are captured— Use of the marginal 
spikes—Kinds of insects captured—The transmission of the motor 
impulse and mechanism of the movements — Re-expansion of the 
lobes. 
Tuts plant, commonly called Venus’ fly-trap, from the 
rapidity and force of its movements, is one of the most 
wonderful in the world.* It is a member of the 
small family of the Droseracez, and is found only in 
the eastern part of North Carolina, growing in damp 
situations. The roots are small; those of a mo- 
derately fine plant which I examined consisted of two 
branches about 1 inch in length, springing from a 
bulbous enlargement. They probably serve, as in the 
case of Drosera, solely for the absorption of water; 
for a gardener, who has been very successful in the 
cultivation of this plant, grows it, like an epiphytic 
orchid, in well-drained damp moss without any soil. 
The form of the bilobed leaf, with its foliaceous foot- 
stalk, is shown in the accompanying drawing (fig. 12). 
* Dr. Hooker, in his address to the habits of this plant, that it 
the British Association at Belfast, would be superfluous on my part 
1874, has given so full an histori- to repeat them. 
eal account of the observations + ‘Gardener’s Chronicle, 1874. 
which have been published on  p. 164. 
