22 THE HUMAN SIDE OF PLANTS 
traps to “stinging” harpoon hairs, from hidden 
snares to electric shocks. 
The bladderwort (Utricularia) is perhaps one 
of the most strikingly ingenious fishing plants. 
The bladderwort is dependent upon the water for 
its food-supply, for from its stock of small animal 
life the plant draws nourishment. The name of 
this plant is derived from the small bladders or 
fishing nets which are scattered over its leaves and 
stems. In some countries, generally tropical 
countries, the bladderwort actually grows on the 
sides of trees, like numerous other air-plants, main- 
taining its carnivorous habits and appetites, but 
satisfying them with insects of the land instead of 
aquatic animal life. But its general habitat is the 
water, in small lakes, ponds, and wet ditches, and 
there we must look if we would find it fishing for 
its dinner. 
The bladders or sacs of the plant are apparently 
devised especially to entrap animal life. Little 
fish swim into a mouth or opening at one end of 
the oval bladders and the doors swing in before 
them allowing the fish to enter; but when they 
would depart, the doors will not accommodatingly 
open out, and the minnows find themselves pris- 
oners. There they die and their decaying bodies 
are slowly fed upon by the voracious plant. 
