THE SUNDEWS. 49 



plant-lice instead of meat resulted in a similar con- 

 clusion, that numerous and striking advantages 

 accrued to the fed plants. 1 



Admitting that the case is not sufficiently proved 

 for us confidently to affirm that these carnivorous 

 habits are conducive to the welfare of the plant, we 

 cannot deny its probability, because otherwise we are 

 placed in the dilemma of assuming, either that all 

 this adaptation for catching and destroying animal life 

 is wanton mischief, or that it is an expenditure of 

 power without purpose. From experience of the 

 operations of nature we are unwilling to recognise 

 such a departure from the usual plan. We are 

 accustomed to trace operations performed by an 

 economy of force, and to believe that nothing is done 

 in vain. Wanton destruction, or wasted energy, are 

 -not the probabilities which would" suggest themselves 

 to the mind of any one who has devoted himself to 

 the study of the phenomena of life, nor would they 

 elevate our conception of the All-wise Creator, of 

 what in such a case would be undoubted failures. 



1 "Journal of Linnean Society" (Botany), xvii., pp. 17 to 32. 



