1883. ] Pitcher Plants. 291 
some absorbent glands, which takes the matter directly into the 
tissues of the plant. The probabilities are in favor of the former, 
or while large tubular cells have been noticed passing down 
through the base of the petiole into the root (Pro. A. A. A. S., vol. 
23, 1874, Nat. Hist., p. 25), there have not been found, I believe, 
any absorbent glands on the interior surface of the leaf. It is very 
likely, as has been suggested, that as we find the leaves of Dioncea 
become less sensitive after a time, and cease to absorb matter, so the 
leaves of Sarracenia contain much more decaying matter than 
suffices for their use. This is made use of by various insects, for 
larvae of different kinds are found in old pitchers, especially those 
of the S. purpurea. And birds are known to split open many of 
the pitchers and devour the insects inclosed, Finally, as Dr. 
Hooker says (Address before Brit. A. A. S., 1874, Nature, vol. x, 
P. 370), “ the pitchers decay, and part, at any rate, of their contents 
must supply some nutriment to the plant by fertilizing the ground 
in which it grows.” 
Taking leave now of the genus Sarracenia, let us turn to another 
genus of the same family, the Darlingtonia, of a still more curious 
structure. This plant inhabits the bogs of California at an eleva- 
tion of from 6000 to 7000 feet, and is limited to a very few localities. 
It was discovered as long ago ago as 1842, but it is so scarce and 
so few people have had an opportunity of observing it in a state 
of nature, that we know comparatively little about its structure . 
and habits. What we do know is due to the observations of Mr. 
J: G. Lemmon and Mrs. R. M. Austin, of California, and to Mr. 
Canby, who has published an account of the plant. The tubular 
leaf 's quite long, stands nearly upright, and has a peculiar twist, 
which no other species has.. The hood, instead of being open as 
a S. Purpurea, or simply covering the opening, is a vaulted arch, 
Projecting over so far that the only entrance to the tube, in the 
largest leaves about an inch in diameter, is immediately beneath. 
In Font of this opening are two very peculiar appendages, spread- 
ug out On each side, and likened to a fish-tail or a butterfly’s 
wing; The top of the arch and the upper part of the tube is 
ia 1n a peculiar manner with white spots. 
| a plant, like the others, secretes a sugary matter on the inside 
- Aga Peculiar projections, which are also covered with bristles. 
the Mis Sugary secretion, as in the S. variolaris, extends from 
one orifice, down the wing to the ground. The insects which are 
