SIDE-SADDLE FLOWERS. 



entangled somewhat, they struggle frantically (but 

 by no means drunk or stupefied), and eventually slide 

 into the pool of death, where, once becoming slimed 

 and saturated with these Lethean waters, they cease 

 from their labours. And even here, although they 

 may cease to struggle, and seem dead, like ' drowned 

 flies,' yet are they 'only asphyxiated, not by the 

 nectar but by this ' cool and animating fluid, limpid 

 as the morning dew.' After continued asphyxia 

 they die, and after maceration they add to the 

 vigour and sustenance of the plant. And this seems 

 to be the true use of the 'limpid fluid,' for it does 

 not seem to be at all necessary to the killing of the 

 insects (although it does possess that power), the 

 conformation of the funnel of the fly-trap is sufficient 

 to destroy them. They only die the sooner, and the 

 sooner become ' liquid manure.' 



" I could never see any indication of unsteadiness 

 or tottering in the sipping flies — nothing save an 

 occasional slip from the uncertain hold which the 

 peculiar pubescence would give, save once or twice 

 while watching intently I saw a fly disappear so 

 quickly downwards that I could not with certainty 

 say whether it was flight or a tumble from stupor or 

 insensibility. But on so many other occasions have 

 I satisfied myself to the contrary, by seeing them fly 

 upward as well as downward, with full vigour of an 

 unhurt unintoxicated insect, that I altogether reject 



G 2 



