1883.] Pitcher Plants. 285 
position to catch any falling object. What then is to prevent the 
leaf from securing its prey? And should it be so, it would be 
strange to find the flower used asa lure to bring food to the plant. 
` Ttis said that a slight secretion has been detected about the 
orifice of the pitcher of this species, but Dr. Gray considers it to 
possess but little efficiency in securing the multitudes of flies some- 
times found in the pitchers. The suggestion here made is, I 
think, worthy of consideration, and will not appear so very im- 
probable when we come to other facts in relation to our subject. 
Turning now to another species let us see what other facts can 
be learned, and see, too, what bearing they may have on the facts 
ascertained in regard to Sarracenia purpurea. The- Sarracenia 
flava is a Southern species, extending from Virginia to Florida, 
and inhabiting the same swampy places which are the favorites 
with S. purpurea, The flava differs ina marked manner from the 
purpurea, The pitchers are much taller, stand more upright, and 
the lobe at the top is wider and more spreading. The inner sur- 
face of the hood has much smaller hairs, so small that it might 
be called a fine pubescence. But a still greater difference is found 
inthe fact that there is a saccharine secretion found on the inner 
Side of the hood, just above the junction of the lid with the rim. 
But there is something in regard to this secretion which is quite 
interesting. It has been stated by some observers, and it is 
thought with truth, that the secretion possesses intoxicating or 
stupefying qualities. As the insect feeds upon the matter it be- 
comes dizzy, loses its hold on the surface of the hood, and falls 
to the bottom of the tube. Dr. Gray says in regard to this 
Secretion at the orifice of the pitcher (Am. Four. Sci. and Arts, ser. 
MU, vol. 6; p. 149-50) that “ This made its appearance at first in the 
' of minute drops, distinctly visible only under a lens; at length 
it forms flattened drops and even patches, distinctly sweetish to 
the taste and viscid to the touch.” Mr. Brady, who observed the 
: oe in North Carolina, says in regard to some pitchers of this 
_ “Pecies, “These, brought into the house, and kept fresh by the 
immersion of the base in water, showed the saccharine secretion 
4 most abundantly about a quarter of an inch above the junction of 
- ap lid with the rim, * * * * Many flies settled on the lids, 
and feasted on the saccharine narcotic. Evident signs of intoxi- 
n Were manifested in each case, by their breaking loose re- 
pea before tumbling into the gulfs.” (Am. Four., ibid, p. 
