The uppermost third of the leaf on the outer side is expanded 
     
     into an erect, heart-shaped hood; the other side, not so much... 
     
     developed, is closely rolled under, outwards, to form the pitcher ..§ y 
     
     rim. It is usually coloured red, the stain running around the . A 
     
     inside of the pitcher at the same level. The sides of the hood,, 
     
     where they meet the rim, are expanded beyond it, and are rounded 
     
     upwards and backwards in an ear-shaped process. The inside of the 
     
     hood is thickly beset with bristles, pointing downwards; but the 
     
     interior of the pitcher itself below the hood, is absolutely 
     
     smooth. 
     
    

    
     Glands, secreting a honey-like fluid, are not only dotted on' 
     
     the inner side of the lid and the lip of the pitcher, but are said to be found on 
     
     'the edge of the projecting wing, and similar structures are grouped in patches 
     
     for some little distance down within the pitcher. It has been suggested that 
     
     ' these last named may possibly secrete a disintegrating fluid, which, poured forth 
     
     into the rainwater in the pitcher, aids in the destruction of the victims of the 
     
     plant. _ 
     
    

    
     Insects visiting these plants are most likely to alight either upon the lid 
     
     or on the honey-baited border of the wing, which leads them to the cleft between 
     
     the side of the hood and the mouth of the pitcher. Some people have thought that 
     
     the "honey" may also have an intoxicating effect upon the poor, doomed insects, and 
     
     so contribute to the ease and rapidity of their capture. The downward-pointing 
     
     hairs on the inside of the hood direct the victim's course t0wards the smooth- 
     
     lined lethal vault, from which, once entered, escape is scarcely possible. The 
     
     slightest upward turning movement brings the insect full against the fell 'cheval— 
     
     de-frise' and, should he then essay to fly, the overhanging hood cuts short his 
     
     upward flight; while, if he follow downwards, soon he cannot fail to lose his 
     
     footing upon the glassy lining of the leaf. VQV ’ i 
     
    

    
     In either case he falls an easy victim, drowning in the-stagnant; liquid mass, 
     
     where his body, decomposing, supplements the food supply of the treacherous 
     
     murderer plant. ‘ '"' . 
     
    

    
     “Gentlemen of the jury, do you find a verdict for the plaintiff or the defend- 
     
     ant?" Surely, reader, acting as a jury, you must answer make, - "We find the 
     
     prisoner guilty of murder in the first degree!" ’ 
     
    

    
     But if the pitcher plant stands convicted, what about the Round—leaved Sun- 
     
     dew (Drosera rotundifolia), in comparison with which the plant which drowns its 
     
     living prey is a merciful destroyer of insect life? Sarracenia attracts its 
     
     victims by painted banner and lucious feast; it sets its cunning traps, and goads 
     
     unwary insects on to death. It goes about its business in a lazy, mechanical sort 
     
     of way, without respect of persons, and exercises neither the nicety of descrimin- 
     
     ation nor the subtlety of torture which the Sundew employs. If there be an 
     
     excellence of method, and an admirable perfection in the science of murdering, to 
     
     the Sundew must be awarded the Victor's palm. Drosera has not even the attractive 
     
     bloom of Sarracenia; its flowers are inconspicuous, and the plant is small. It 
     
     crouches, as though guilty, close to the earth, and haunts damp situations where 
     
     insect life abounds. ' , 
     
    

    
     From a centre where the solitary flower stalk stands, leaves, like blood- 
     
     smeared fingers, radiate on every side, their upper surface beset with ruby— 
     
     coloured hairs, bearing each upon its point a tempting drop of moisture, glisten- 
     
     Ving in the sunshine - whence the name of "Sundew." 
     
    

    
     Watch with me an insect come to quench his thirst, alighting where, around 
     
     him, spread with lavish wealth, the treacherous banquet tempts him to his death. 
     
     Unsuspectingly he sips the feast, all unconscious of the trap so suredyzelbsing 
     
     in upon him. 
     
    
   
   
    
       
     
    
   
   
    
     . Uroscm Roluudi- 
     
     foha. .-\huuL 53’ sit: