n 
POLYANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 
sub dilatata; floribus curved ; longitudinal 
flavis. wing slightly dilated; 
flowers yellow. 
Mich. 1. p. 310. Pursh. 2. p. 367- 
S. Minor Walt. p. 153. Sp. pi. 2. p. 1150. 
S. Adunca. Smith Ex. Bot. 1. tab. 53. 
Leaves 12 — 18 inches high. Tube a little ventricose, colored near the 
Summit, and curiously marked on the back with transparent spots. Appen- 
dix arched and vaulted so as in this species nearly to cover the contracted 
throat. Wing along the central suture more dilated than in any other spe- 
cies except the S. purpurea. Petals spathulate-obovate, yellowish. Stig- 
ma acute at the angles. 
Grows around pine barren ponds, very common along the sea coast of 
Carolina and Georgia. 
Flowers in April and May. 
The plants belonging to this genus, form one of the most singular vari- 
eties which the vegetable creation exhibits. Their long tubular leaves al- 
ways contain water, produced probably by secretion, and are generally fil- 
led for two or three inches, with dead and decaying insects. How far the 
water contained in these leaves may be necessary to the support of thq 
plant, has not yet been sufficiently ascertained, but the insects although at- 
tracted and destroyed by its very remarkable structure, yet can have little 
or no connection with its existence. For the first accurate examination of 
these leaves, I believe, we are indebted to the late Dr. Macbride. Some 
of his observations on the Sarracenia have been published in the transac- 
tions of the Linnaean Society of London, (Yol. 12.) and some remain among 
the unpublished papers of the Literary and Philosophical Society of South- 
Carolina. 
It may be sufficient here to remark that the throat or orifice of these 
leaves is generally covered with a saccharine secretion or exudation. Im- 
mediately below the throat for the space of nearly an inch, the surface 
is highly polished, while the lower part of the tube is covered with hairs 
all pointing downwards. When an insect attracted in the first instance 
by the secretion* of the plant, or perhaps even by the water descends as 
it easily can do along this declining pubescence, it appears incapable of 
ascending by its feet alone and canonly escape by a flight so perpendicu- 
lar as to surpass the power of most insects. Whenever they touch the 
bristly sides of the tube they are precipitated again to the bottom, and 
have to renew their efforts, and many insects even of a large size perish^ 
in this arduous and hopeless struggle. 
ARGEMONE. Gen. Pl. 882. 
Calyx 3-phylIus, 
deciduus. Pelala 6. 
Calyx 3-Ieaved, de- 
ciduous. Petals 6. 
