The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-01-12
Ghildren's Column.
Some Curious Traps to Catch
Insects.
BY E. +. MOSEBY.

Rose" said her father, looking in
through the door of the sitting room one
bright Saturday afternoon, do you re-
member the orchids2"
"Oh, yes" exclaimed the little girl,
springing up with delight, and dropping
her largest DOLL Angelina Wilhelmina
anheeded on the floor, "And 1 remem-
Der, papa, your promise to show me the
plants that catch insects"
We'll, little girl, run and put on your
ha' and gloves, and l will carry you
with me to visit DR.. Pettijohn, who has
the best collection ] have ever seen.
The words were scarcely uttered, when
Rose hau disappeared in search of her
hat, and when she was once on the street
beside her father, her dancing feet seemed
greatly inclined to run away altogether
DR.. Pettijohn recognised the rosy little
face immediately, and had many kind
greetings for her. Mr.. Arson explained
the object of his visit, and the old gentle
mans wrinkled countenance grew as ra-
diant as Roses, as he led the way to the
greenhouses, where, in large tank of
water, and around it, all kinds of curious
spiked aud bladder-ike things grew, and
over which hung bristling leaves, shaped
like swinging pitchers.
The first must show you" said DIR.
Pettijohn, "has much prettier name
than it deserves, for it is called Venus
Fly-Trap, but it is one of the most won
derful of all the fy-catchers. Do you
see that large Towering stalk on the left
hand? Now, look at its leaves, divided
into two lobes, spiked at the sides, and
dotted thickly over with little reddish
glands, with fine hair-like filaments on
the upper side of the lobes. Even tiny
insect can scarcely cross it without
touching the flaments, and they are so
sensitive to the slightest touch, that they
instantly cause the two lobes to rise and
come together, their spikes interlocking
like the sharp teeth of rat trap. The
gland gives out liquid which helps the
plant to digest its meat"
" Do you ever feed the leaves" asked
Rose, laughing, as if struck by sudden
thought, "when the flies wont come to
be caught?"
Yes, replied the old doctor with a
smile, "and they like small bits of beef
very much. Mr. Candy, botanist, once
gave them cheese, which disagreed with
them dreadfully, indeed, finally killed
his plants"
so vegetables may die with dyspep-
sia?' remarked Mr. Arson.
And take chloroform also" said DR.
PettIohn. Mr.. Darwin gave chloro-
form to the Sundew, which sometimes
seemed much excited in its movements,
but the results were variable Quinine
affected it strongly, and strychnine, killed
those parts which absorbed it..
docs the Sundew kill insects?" ques-
toned Rose, with face of wonder.
Yes; have you never noticed the fine
hairs that grow all over the thick, pale
green leaves? These hairs have little
glands which secrete sticky Juice that
glitters in the sun, and gives the plant
its name. When a fly alights on the
leaf, his feet are caught in the clammy
liquid, and the hairs bend o-er and hold
him fast, until the leaf has entirely fold
ed itself over its victim, which speedily
ceases its struggles in death.
ooh, how dreadful !" exclaimed the
little girl 81 should never have believed
that these pretty shining leaves muir
dered the little insects that visited them.
fyou had not told me So
"The Sundew is wholesale meat
eater" said Mr. Arson. "Mr. Darwin
found thirteen insects or their remains
on one leaf alone, and they have been
known to catch dragon-fies, and small
butterflies
Here is the Side-Saddle Flower,
which grows in boys, and even in shallow
water. There are eight kinds of this
PitcherPlant; one has inclined pitchers
and lids so arranged that the rain falls
into the pitcher two have no lids, and
three have erect pitchers and lids that
keep the rain from entering"
But should not think these would
ever catch any insects. Why should
they 60 down such dark narrow open
ing? should think they would fly
away"
Look at the flies on the edge now"
observed the doctor. There is sweet
liquid all around the mouth, which at
tracts them, and inside these are hairs
that grow downwards, until Just below
the sweet bait There the surface is so
smooth that the fly cannot take any hold,
but falls to the bottom, where he is soon
stupefed by the fluid there"
How very pretty and bright the
upper part Of the pitcher is, said Rose,
standing on tiptoe to look in.
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