418 
grass, about ditches and other wet places. Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and' 
at Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It possesses no agricultural value. 
3. Leersia Lenticularis. Michaux. 
Syr.— L. ovata Poir. Fly-catch grass. 
Stem erect; panicle erect; spikelets large, roundish, imbricated ; 
stamens two ; paleae with the keel and veins ciliate. Perennial; flowers 
in July ; culms 2 to 4 feet high. 
Found in wet places in Ohio and Illinois, but rarely. Pursh* calls it 
a singular and elegant grass, and informs us that he observed it catching 
flies in the same manner as the Dioncea muscipula (Venus’ fly-trap); the 
paleae being nearly of the same structure as the leaves of that plant. 
L 
The figures I have given [plate I, fig. 1,] of the paleae of this species 
will explain to the eye in what manner this fly-catching is performed, if 
at all. It is difficult to understand how insects can be “retained as in a 
trap by the proboscis,” as suggested by Mr. Nuttall,f inasmuch as the 
ciliatures are all directed upwards, and would rather prevent the en¬ 
trance than the exit of the insect. If caught at all, it must be by the 
f r • • . j , 
closing of the valves by some spontaneous motion like that of the sensi¬ 
tive plant. I am indebted to Dr. A. Gray for specimens of the flowers 
of this plant, from which the drawings were made; and also to Dr. 
Geo. Engleman, of St. Louis, for specimens and important information 
in regard to this and other species of grass. 
A v - 7 ) • 
Plate 1. Figure 1. 
j, » 
a a flower of the natural size. 
5 the same magnified. 
c the paleae opened, showing the nature of the “fly-trap.” 
d a flower. 
e an anther. 
/ 
/ the germ and stigmas. 
g tho spines, or ciliatures, much magnified. 
• ■ % * t r y 
* Flora, Vol. I., p. 62. 
t Genera of IT. Am. Plants, Vol. I., p. 43. 
