38 
THE FLORIST. 
To a thoughtful mind there is much in these plants to impress deeply 
the omnipotence of the great Creator; it may be said that there is 
equally much in brilliant and variously coloured flowers; there is, 
however, this remarkable difference that while we can assign an office 
to every part of a flower in the reproduction of the species, no such 
office can be assigned to this remarkable appendage. The pitcher, as 
it is termed, grows at the points of the strongest leaves, and is formed 
by an elongation of the midrib. At first it has much the appearance 
and nature of a tendril. As the leaf approaches full size the point of 
the tendril-like elongation begins to expand, and in a short time to 
present something like the appearance of the perfect pitcher. Until 
it has attained nearly its full size the mouth of the pitcher remains 
perfectly sealed ; long ere that time, however, a liquid is visible through 
the transparent sides of the membrane—clearly demonstrating it to be 
a secretion of the plant; Rhind observes “ that it is remarkable this 
liquid is a pure and wholesome water, while the water in which the 
plant grows is stagnant and unwholesome.” That the liquid is whole¬ 
some may be true, but the secretion has a lymphatic consistency, and, 
therefore, is not pure water. Again he observes that “ the lid (of the 
pitcher) opens and shuts by the contractions of a membranous hinge.” 
One can hardly imagine that artificial treatment would so'far alter the 
nature of these plants as totally to destroy this property, but it is well 
known to those accustomed to watch their progress that when the lid 
is once elevated it remains in that position until shrivelling through age 
takes place. That the liquid thus collected is of great importance to 
the health of the plants no one can doubt; it not only prevents an 
undue evaporation from the leaf but doubtless contributes to the food of 
the plant. 
0. P. 
WHY SHOULD NOT THE BLACKBERRY BE CULTIVATED. 
I believe that there is a natural disposition in the human mind to 
neglect what is most within our reach, and to concentrate our energies 
upon something that is more difficult of attainment; and it is to this 
former quality alone that I can attribute the non-cultivation of the 
fruit now under consideration. The Blackberry is of a hardy nature, 
and is superior to the wild Sloe, the Crab, and even the Raspberry 
and Strawberry; in fact, to any wild fruit that is to be found in merry 
England. In the best cultivated land, where you would expect to find 
the finest fruit, it too often disappoints; and no wonder, for to keep a 
hedge in proper condition the Blackberry is cut and hacked, and yet it 
grows on, and pushing its way through the thick brushwood, produces 
every year a quantity of its handsome black fruit. 
We all know how much the Strawberry has been improved in size and 
flavour by cultivation; and, as I believe the Blackberry has never had 
a similar trial, I would ask why it should be thus neglected, merely 
because it is to be found in almost every field and country lane in 
England ? With what pleasure do the children, who live in the country 
