DIOSCOEEA. 189 



water, and standing it near the glass at the cool end of the 

 stove. 



Z). muscipula. — This plant is popularly known as 

 "Venus's Fly-trap." The leaves are radical, the lower 

 part broadly winged, the upper portion, or true blade, 

 dilated into a two-lobed irritable limb, furnished at the 

 margin with a row of long, stiff, bristle-like teeth, and 

 having about the centre three similar bristles set triangle- 

 wise, which, if touched, cause the lobes to approach each 

 other, and to close up the centre like a trap ; by means of 

 the alternate interlacing marginal hairs, when thus closed, 

 the leaf frequently catches flies or other small insects, and 

 as any movement in the interior only continues the irri- 

 tation, and causes the edges to close the more firmly toge- 

 ther, the leaf does not unfold until the victim is quite dead. 

 This wonderful plant should be grown by every one. 

 Native of the United States. 



DiOSCOBEA. 



These plants are tuberous-rooted, scandent in habit, and 

 herbaceous, and during the summer months they form 

 beautiftil ornaments for trellises or pillars lq the stove. In 

 the winter months they should be kept in a cool (but not 

 cold) place, either in the pots, or in some perfectly dry sand. 

 The soil most suitable for them is a rich light compost, 

 formed of light turfy loam, peat, leaf mould, sand, and well- 

 decomposed manure in about equal parts. They should 

 have abundance of root room, and be liberally supplied 

 with water during the growing season, gradually dimiaish- 

 ing the quantity as the shoots show signs of decay. They 

 may be increased by divisions of the tubers, which may be 

 effected either in autumn or spring, while they are at rest, 

 but never when growing. 



