18 ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS, 
life about them ; but in either case I can with confidence pr 
that he will not detect any difference in growth. This mays 
a very summary way of disposing of this question, which hash 
so ably worked out by Darwin, who has shown that the glane 
both the Dioncea and the Droseras have the power of secretin 
viscid fluid, which, like the gastric juice of animals, has sti 
digestive properties capable of dissolving raw meat, and that 
ean absorb soluble nitrogenous matter, which is in itself a po 
ful argument in favour of the view that these plants prey a 
insects, It is a plausible theory, but I am convinced a mis 
one. I have been induced to mention this last subject, as it 
one not long since debated at one of the sectional meetings of 
Society, on which occasion very contradictory opinions were 
pressed in regard to the views of Darwin. 
[Diagram. ] 
