150 THE HUMAN SIDE OF PLANTS 
by their rich, massive beauty. Surely their insect- 
catching is justified; for they are fertilised only by 
flying insects, and they must protect the honey 
which is to pay the bees and the butterflies for their 
labour. 
Indeed, there is generally a cause which should 
at least partially excuse the questionable actions of 
plants. With most kidnapping plants the act is one 
of self-defence; and surely self-preservation is the 
first right of every living thing! True, Venus’s 
fly-trap, the sundews, and others, do lure their prey 
that the insects may be killed and eaten by the vora- 
cious plants; but in spite of these far from admi- 
rable habits there are many beautiful characteristics 
which are always evident in plants that kidnap. 
