1883.] Pitcher Plants. 287 
Is there not good reason then for the theory I have advanced 
in regard to some stupefying matter in the flowers of S. purpu- 
rea? If the secretions of two species have poisonous properties, 
why should not that of a third have the same power? especially 
when it probably serves the same end in the economy of the plant, 
namely, that of providing insect food for it. 
We come now to another species of the curious genus, the facts 
in regard to which are still more wonderful than those already 
given. This species is the Sarracenia variolaris, an inhabitant of 
the “damp pine lands,” flourishing best on the edges of “ pine- 
barren ponds” of Carolina and other Southern States. Tt differs 
in a marked manner from the other species noticed, inasmuch as 
the hood, instead of standing upright and leaving the orifice of 
the pitcher exposed, is bent over and shuts out most effectually 
any rain that may happen to fall. According to an excellent ob- 
server Dr. Mellichamp, of South Carolina (Pro. A. A. Adv. Sci., 
vol. 23, 1874), the leaf may be divided into three portions: 
“First, the inner surface of the hood or upper lid, marked cn the 
posterior portion by white translucent spots and purple recticula- 
tions, which last extend forward and upward, and again downward 
on each side of the rim, for [supposing the leaf to be a foot long] 
a halfan inch, or sometimes an inch.” This embraces the internal 
honey-bearing portion. “Immediately below this, and extending 
for the space of three inches, there is an exquisitely soft and vel- 
vety pubescence, which under the glass is seen to be composed 
of very fine and thickly disposed retrorse hairs. This may be 
termed the second belt, and is so smooth as to afford no foothold 
for most insects. Below this again, the eye may detect a deeper 
Colored pubescence, of a pale yellow or straw color, still smooth, 
s composed of coarse hairs, which became longer and more 
bristly as the tube narrows. At the base of this tube a watery 
fluid is secreted, into which insects are precipitated. This is the 
o third belt and about five inches in length.” 
SS Examination of numbers of the young leaves, into which it 
Was possible for the rain to have found its way, revealed the 
o fact that almost invariably there was some liquid to be found. 
iS Was sometimes but a féw drops and at others as much as a 
Srachm or even more. Experiments with this fluid brought to 
ty * Some interesting facts. By great care, the experimenter col- 
Scted about a half ounce of the liquid and experimented chiefly 
