ECONOMIC AND MEDICINAL PLANTS 173 
Venus’s 
Fly-trap. 
A more remarkable plant than any other is the Venus’ s fly-trap, 
a dwarf plant from North America, whose leaves consist of two flat 
segments, or flaps, joined only at the base, and having 
the uppermost margins set with stiff bristles. In the 
centre of each segment are three other bristles, and when 
one of these is touched by an unwary insect the two segments of 
the leaf rapidly close together and hold it fast till its juices are all 
absorbed. Other members of this group are Darlingtonia, an ally 
of the Sarracenias, from California ; Drosophyllum, a kind of sun- 
dew from the Peninsula ; and Cephalotus follicularis from South-west 
Australia, a dainty little plant with pitcher-like leaves. 
