41 
THE JOURNAL OF BOTANY 
wrote. The nature and functions of the filaments are now being 
investigated carefully by Mr. Robert Paulson, who believes them to 
be separate organisms, probably Rhizopods. 
That absorption does take place seems highly probable in view of 
the fact that stomates or pores of some kind are known to exist 
in the cuticle of those portions of the stem and the inner walls of 
the cups which are submerged when the cups are full of water, and 
also of the leaves. These stomates were observed by Bartlielemy in 
1S7S. They also are now undergoing investigation by Mr. Paulson, 
who finds that those upon the stem vary in some points of detail 
from those on the upper side of the leaves. Either or both of these 
kinds may serve either as excretion-glands or as absorption-glands, or 
as both. It is necessary, however, to await Mr. Paulson’s further 
*y ' ' 
results before speaking positively as to their functions. 
Another matter which must be awaited is a careful analysis of the 
liquor found in the Teasel cup, both in its early freshness and in its 
later fetid condition. More than two years ago, I made arrange¬ 
ments for such analyses ; but my plans have been defeated by the 
recent abnormal weather-conditions. In 1921, owing to the excessive 
drought, liquor was not obtainable in analvzable quantity : in 1922, 
though liquor was obtainable in sufficient quantity, the cold wet 
weather which prevailed at the critical season was so prejudicial to 
insect life that practically no insects were caught and the liquor 
never attained its normal putridity. 
On the whole, however, if there is as yet no conclusive proof, 
there seems every reason to believe that the main use of the water- 
cups of the Teasel is the catching of small “ insects ”; that the plant 
exudes into the waiter which collects in the cups some narcotizing 
substance; that this both attracts and stupefies the “ insects,” 
causing them to drown ; that, after drowning, they decompose in the 
fluid, causing it to become very highly charged with nitrogenous 
matter; that the plant then digests and absorbs this matter, deriving 
nutriment therefrom; and that the Teasel is, therefore, truly car¬ 
nivorous, as suggested at the outset. It is difficult to see how any 
other conclusion can be reached; inasmuch as w r e find, in connection 
with the plant, practically all the characteristic features which occur, 
in one form or another, in connection with other plants which are 
recognized universally as carnivorous. 
Assuming my contention to be proven, it may be said of the 
Teasel that it is one of the largest carnivorous plants known—- 
certainly by far the largest in Britain ; that it is capable of capturing 
and digesting larger and heavier creatures than any other; and that, 
in capturing its prey, it employs methods which differ considerably 
from those of nearly all other plants having similar habits. 
Carnivorous plants may be divided roughly into four classes, 
according to the methods of capture they employ. Thus :— 
(1) — Dionaa, Pinguiciila , and Drosera all exude a sw T eet viscid 
substance on the surface of their leaves, which, when small insects 
have been attracted and caught thereby, curl or close over, cover, 
and digest them. 
(2) —Nepenthes and Sarracenia both have deep “pitchers,” 
