THE BELL-SHAPED NIDULARIA. 95 
capsules, are visible at the bottom of the bell-shaped 
receptacle, of the size of a turnip seed, or of a large, 
flattened pin’s head ; loose, but attached by a filament, 
which in the striated species (nidularia striata), in moist 
weather, I have drawn out to nearly three inches in 
length. This thread appears designed to secure the 
vegetation of the seed, by affording it the power of de- 
riving nutriment from the parent plant, during the period 
it is exerting its strength to vegetate in the earth. 
Heavy rains, I apprehend, fill the bells, and float out 
the seeds in the spring months, the filaments then 
stretching to their full extent. In severe weather we 
often find these bells emptied of their contents; and 
from observing the excrement of mice about the places 
of their growth, I conclude they are eaten by these 
creatures. The long mandibles of the little shrew are 
well fitted for this operation. I have never found the 
plant in such quantities as to yield them any consider- 
able supply ; yet it is remarkable, that the seeds of one 
genus only, out of such a numerous class, should be so 
visible, and of such a size, as to become an article of 
food to an animal like a mouse. 
But we must dismiss the vegetable tribes, and enter 
upon the world of sensitive nature. The quadrupeds 
j naturally present themselves first to our notice, but with 
us they are few in number; our population scares them, 
our gamekeepers kill them, and inclosures extirpate 
their haunts. Yet the marten (mustela martes) lingers 
with us still, and every winter’s snow becomes instru- 
mental to its capture, betraying its footsteps to those 
who are acquainted with the peculiar trace which it 
leaves. Its excursions generally terminate at some hol- 
low tree, whence it is driven into a bag ; and we are 
surprised, that a predaceous animal, not protected by 
laws or arbitrary privileges, and of some value too, 
should still exist. Of all our animals called vermin, 
we have none more admirably fitted for a predatory life 
than the marten : it is endowed with strength of body ; 
is remarkably quick and active in all its motions ; has 
an eye so large, clear, perceptive, and movable in its 
orbit, that nothing can stir without its observation ; and 
