3896 . OBSERVATIONS ON DROSERA FILIFORMIS. 
narrow, and well defined ; scutellum not visible; humeri in The- 
cesternus prolonged forwards, so as to extend along the sides of 
the prothorax. Dorsal segments membranous, last one large, 
corneous, divided into two in g: ventral segments unequal, Ist 
and 2d very large, more closely connected, suture arcuated: 3d 
and 4th short, sutures deep, 5th as long as the two preceding; 
lateral extension moderately wide, wider behind, pygidium artic- 
ulating with both 4th and 5th ventrals. Legs slender, tibiæ trun- 
cate, spurs small, tarsi 4—jointed, narrow, setose beneath. 
Several species of Thecesternus are found in the interior regions, 
of the continent, from Illinois to Utah, under dried buffalo exere- 
ment, and similar objects.— To be concluded. 
OBSERVATIONS ON DROSERA FILIFORMIS. 
BY WM. M. CANBY. 
Some observations on the power of the insect-trapping “ thread 
leaved sundew” to bend its leaves partly or wholly about its prey, 
may serve to supplement the interesting notes of Mrs. Mary 
recorded in the December number of the AMERICAN NATURALIST. 
They were made about the middle of last August during 4 day’s 
botanical excursion in the vicinity of “Pleasant Mills,” New 
Jersey, and were suggested by Mr. Darwin in the following mem- 
oranda: 
(1.) “Put a small atom of crushed fly on a leaf of Drosera 
filiformis near the apex and observe whether the solid leaf itself, 
after twenty-four hours or so, curls over the fly.” 
(2.) “ Rub roughly with the point of a fine needle half a dozen 
times a few glands, and observe whether they become infl 
after a few minutes, or more probably after a few hours.” 
The place selected for the experiments was the edge of a a 
berry meadow exposed during the whole day to the sun, and ye 
protected by higher ground and trees from the wind, which other- 
entangling the leaves together. Hundreds of the plants eer 
here growing, most of their leaves being fully extended, * 
others were yet unfolding from their circinate vernation. 
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