Cnar. X11. SECRETION AND ABSORPTION. 295 
shall presently see, if nitrogenous organic bodies which 
are at all damp, are left on the lobes; for these then 
close by a slow and gradual movement, very different 
from that caused by touching one of the sensitive fila- 
ments. The footstalk is not in the least sensitive; 
a pin may be driven through it, or it may be cut off, 
and no movement follows. 
The upper surface of the lobes, as already stated, 
is thickly covered with small purplish, almost sessile 
glands. These have the power both of secretion 
and absorption; but unlike those of Drosera, they 
do not secrete until excited by the absorption of 
nitrogenous matter. No other excitement, as far as I 
have seen, produces this effect. Objects, such as bits 
of wood, cork, moss, paper, stone, or glass, may be left 
for a length of time on the surface of a leaf, and it 
remains quite dry. Nor does it make any difference if 
the lobes close over such objects. For instance, some 
little balls of blotting paper were placed on a leaf, 
and a filament was touched; and when after 24 hrs. 
the lobes began to re-open, the balls were-removed by 
the aid of thin pincers, and were found perfectly dry. 
On the other hand, if a bit of damp meat or a crushed 
fly is placed on the surface of an expanded leaf, the 
glands after a time secrete freely. In one such case 
there was a little secretion directly beneath the meat 
in 4hrs.; and after an additional 3 hrs. there was a 
considerable quantity both under and close round it. 
In another case, after 3 hrs. 40 m., the bit of meat was 
quite wet. But none of the glands secreted, except- 
ing those which actually touched the meat or the 
secretion containing dissolved animal matter. 
If, however, the lobes are made to close over a bit of 
meat or an insect, the result is different, for the glands 
over the whole surface of the leaf now secrete copiously. 
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