PEAJSMliOOAMIA. 



273 



in color, and doulDtless this attracts insects. Moreover this 

 upper part is covered with minute stiff hairs, which point 

 downward; they also cover the upper part of the inner 

 surface of the cavity, and probably have not a little to do 

 with the entrance of insects into the fatal pitcher. How- 

 ever this may be, many insects are found drowned, and in 

 all stages of decomposition, in the 

 fluid in the pitchers. Other spe- 

 cies in the Southern States have 

 a lid-like cover which prevents 

 the entrance of rain, and in some 

 species drops of nectar have been 

 found upon the outside of the 

 pitcher, forming a trail to lure 

 insects to its edge. 



549. The California^ Pitcher- 

 plant (Fig. 160) resembles the 

 foregoing, but its arched leaves 

 have a curious forked appendage 

 hanging down from the edge of 

 the orifice, which is here on the 

 under side of the arch. This ap- 

 pendage is more or less covered 

 with a sweet secretion which lures 

 insects. Probably this is made more effective by the red- 

 dish or purplish color of the appendage, giving it at a dis- 

 tance no little resemblance to a flower. The watery fluid 

 inside of the leaf always contains the remains of many 

 insects. 



550. Yarious species of Nepenthes (Pig. 161) occur in 

 the East Indies. The leaves are prolonged into a slender 

 tendril-like organ, upon whose extremity theje develops a 



FiQ. 150.— The California Pitch- 

 er-plant (Darlingtonia californi- 

 ca), showing leaves and a flower. 

 About one seventh natural size. 



