The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1875-05-15

We have received another Interesting and
valuable contribution to the science Of vcge-
table life and force from the pen of President
Clark, of the Massachusetts Agricultural Col
lege at Amherst Our readers will remember
the account we gave, about year ago, OF the
experiments in regard to the iorcc OF sap,
which We're conducted under his directions,
and also the later account OF the lifting power
Of u growing squash. The latter experiments
were conducted last summer at the Agricul
tural College, and the result SaS that a sim
gle squash, so guarded that The lateral pres
sure was restrained, lifted in its growth the
enormous weight Of two tons and "A half with
out beng crushed,
The history of these experiments forms the
basis of this treatise, which is illustrated
by numerous cngravlngs, but many impor
tant subjects connected with plant life, and
especially the power and habits OF plants in
growth, are discussed by one who proves
himself master in this department of sci
encc We make the following extracts:
during the past year much has been writ
ten and said about carniycrous plants which
catch great numbers OF insects for the appar-
ent purpose of feeding upon them. When
ny alights on the leaf il UiORgd, the two halves
close upon it and hold 1t fast until consumed.
The leaf of a species Of Droscrd, in New Jer-
sey, is said to have the power of moving to-
wards an insect, fastened within half an inch
of it, and feeding upon it. The ptchershap.
ed leaves of SdT7dcGRtd rdrto!drtS not only
seem 10 possess the power of cnticing insects
to climb from the ground 10 the inside OF their
pitchers, by secrcting vertical line OF honey
on the outside, and also line around the
edge of the cup, bat they prevent their escape
| by an ingenious arrangement of hairs, which
/ fnDtinnnllv tnrpn tbnpN InUn a q = nj
| tempt TO fly out When they thus reach the
bottom of their prison they come in contact
with 1uid which first paralyZcs them and
! then haSicnS their decay and absorption.
MOT less Wonderful are the instructive
movements by which climbing plants seek
| for and attach themselves to support.
| TwininG vines, like the hop, the bean and
the murning.glory, exhibit a revolving move
ment of their eNttcmities until they come in
contact with some object around which to
/ coil Each species has its own peculiar di.
rcction, from which most of them never vary.
| \ few, like the hop, wind from tho right up.
ward toward the lett, moving like the hands
| of a watch; but most, like the bean. move in
an opposite direction. The squash, however,
| is not IA twining plant, but climbs by means
/ of lcndris. Nevertheless, the tip Of a grow.
/ inc vine revolvcs continually from left over
To right, in evident search for a support.
Mr.. !. J. II. Gregory informs US that il a
! Single be set into the ground near the tip of
growing Squash-vinc 1t Will in day or two
I be seen turning toward il; and if the single
be- removed 10 tho opposite side the direction
Of the vine will again be changed. lie also
states that he has observed a squashvinc, af.
ter running along ON the ground ten or twelve
feet and then passing under the branches OF
tree which were tour feet above il, 10 stop
ard turn upward toward the branches After
growing in this direction till It could nc lon
ger sustain itself, the vine fell to the ground
butinstead OF proceeding horizontally il again
rose into the air. again 10 fall. A third effort
was made before the plant was willing 10 give
up and Trail numbly on the Garth.
THE end Of the vine under observation
was constantly elevated 70 the sash-bars and
glass above II, sometimes TO the height Of two