182 PLANTS OF NEW ZEALAND 



D^'osera spathulata {The Spathulate- leaved Drosera). 



Leaves in a rosette, each leaf from ^-in. -|in. long. Flower-stem, lin. - 6in. 

 long; 1 -6flo\vered. Petals, white. Calyx, .5-lohed ; petals, .5: stamens, .5. 

 From Mangonui to Stewart Island: local. PI. Dee. -Jan. 



Drosera binata {The Twin-Jeaved Drosera). 



A very distinct species, with leaves like a two-pronged fork, all radical. 

 Flowers on slender stems, white, ^in. - ^in. across, 6 to 8 on a stem. 

 Sepals, petals, and stamens, 4-5. Both islands; common iir clay bogs. Fl. 

 Nov. -Feb. 



Drosera auriculata. {Tlie Ear-shaped Drosera). 



A pretty little plant with pink or purple flowers, growing in dry soils. The 

 stems are slender and straggling; sometimes 'lit. -Hit. in length. The root- 

 leaves are few in nmnber ; those on the stems alternate, with two long narrow 

 processes on the upper part, like pointed ears. These, as well as the remainder 

 of the leaf, are covered with the long red hairs common to all Sundews. Seen 

 under a microscope, by artificial light, the leaf of the Smidew is a most beautiful 

 object, and well worth studying. 



Insectivorous Plants. 

 Plants which grow in bogs often find it difficult to procure the 

 nitrogen necessary for their sustenance ; aird they have, there- 

 fore, evolved means of catching and digesting flies and other 

 insects. Darwin was the first to investigate thoroughly, and 

 establish the carnivorous nature of numerous plants. Many of 

 the facts connected with them are highly remarkable, and for a 

 full description, the great evolutionist's work on Insectivorous 

 Plants should be consulted. In the Droseraceae, or Sundews, 

 the upper surface of each leaf bears a number of bright red, 

 clubbed, glandular han-s, every one with a glistening drop of 

 viscid fluid at the upper end. These tentacles are longest round 

 the margin of the leaf, and grow gradually shorter towards the 

 centre. If an insect touches the centre of the leaf, it becomes 

 glued to the han-s, and, a tew minutes afterwards, the marginal 

 tentacles bend towards it, and seize it. The orifices of its 

 respiratory organs become blocked up by the viscid fluid, and, 

 finally exhausted by its struggles, the unfortunate insect dies. 

 The amount of the secretion from the tentacles increases. 



