6' : New Phase of Plant-Life. [January, 
from the plant with due precaution and placed in a glass — 
were found able to dissolve fragments of coagulated albu- 
men. In all the numerous experiments made on the 
digestion of cubes of albumen “the angles and edges were 
invariably first rounded off.” This, according to Schiff 
(“ Lecuns Phys. de la Digestion,” vol. ii., 1867, p. 149), is 
“a special characteristic of the digestion of albumen by the 
gastric juice of animals.” When, on the contrary, such 
cubes are dissolved by chemical adtion, solution goes on 
over the whole surface in contact with the solvent. 
Another very important point is that the secretion of the 
Drosera — like the gastric juice of the higher animals — 
possesses a decidedly antiseptic property, and, whilst 
effecting digestion, checks putrefaction. This interesting 
faCt is proved by the following experiments : — “ During very 
warm weather I placed close together two equal-sized bits 
of raw meat — one on a leaf of Drosera, and the other sur- 
rounded by wet moss. They were thus left for forty-eight 
hours, and then examined. The bit on the moss swarmed 
with Infusoria, and was so much decayed that the transverse 
striae on the muscular fibres could no longer be clearly dis- 
tinguished ; whilst the bit on the leaf, which was bathed by 
the secretion, was free from Infusoria, and its striae were 
perfectly distinct in the central and undissolved portion. In 
like manner small cubes of albumen and cheese, placed on 
wet moss, became threaded with filaments of mould, and 
had their surfaces slightly discoloured and disinte- 
grated ; whilst those on the leaves of the Drosera remained 
clean, the albumen being converted into a transparent 
fluid.” 
Among the substances thus dissolved and digested by the 
leaves of the Drosera may be enumerated roast meat, pure 
fibrin, areolar tissue, fragments of bone, and pure phosphate 
of lime. The latter, however, and also raw meat, are too 
powerful stimulants, and, except in very minute doses, 
injure or kill the leaves. Fat is not digested. Gelatine 
and isinglass have a comparatively feeble exciting aCfion on 
the plant. “ This,” remarks Mr. Darwin, “ is an interesting 
faCt, as it is well known that gelatine by itself has little 
power of nourishing animals.” The secretion of the Drosera 
quickly dissolves casein in the condition in which it is found 
naturally existing in milk. But the pure chemically-prepared 
casein is scarcely, if at all, attacked. Such casein we learn 
on high authority is almost entirely insoluble in the gastric 
juice of animals. This is another evidence in favour of the 
identity of the secretion of the Drosera with gastric juice, 
