The American Botanist 
VOL. XI. JOLIET, ILL., OCTOBER, 1906. No. 2 
CARNIVOROUS PLANTS. 
BY GRACE GREYLOCK NILES. 
TpWO forms of our northern pitcher plants grow abundantly 
in vast areas of sphagnous boglands, producing odd crim- 
son-purple blossoms in June. It is a rare vision to behold a 
wild meadow ablaze with these side-nodding blossoms. One 
variety of this species is distinguished by yellowish-green 
pitchers with a lighter veining; while the other form displays 
deep crimson pitchers, marked by deeper veinings. After the 
blushing petals of these side-saddle flowers fall, the sepals 
cling to the hard padded shell of the stigma, reminding one 
of weird goblin blossoms. These remain on the flower for 
months, until the numerous seeds are sown broadcast over the 
meadow. The surface of the stigma resembles a padded cush- 
ion. Early writers saw in it a resemblance to the pillion, 
or cushion of a ladies side-saddle, from whence the name side- 
saddle flower arose. The flowers have no especial fragrance, 
the attraction of the plant lies in the honey-sprinkled leaves. 
These consist of large hollow tubes, somewhat resembling 
pitchers. The rim is ornamented with a band of crimson, 
upon which is sometimes a secretion of honey. Similar crim- 
son veins extend down the outside of the pitcher to the roots 
of the plant, and these honey-guides lead small ants and snails 
upward to the orifice of the pitcher. On the rim these little 
creatures, as well as the flies and mosquitoes which have been 
attracted, are allured beyond the line of safety, when they slip 
down the smooth inner surface to the depths of the watery 
fluid. All their attempts to escape are useless, once in contact 
with the contents of the pitchers. And even if the fly should 
not reach the juices of the tube, the deflexed, honey-tipped hairs 
