Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1886-07-23
PLANTS THAT EAT.
Some Forms of Vegetation
with an Appetite.
Interesting Species of Plant that Catch
Flies and Mosquitoes.

Among the many rare and interesting
plants forming the collection in the
Botanical Garden at Washington there
has recently been got together an almost
complete set Of insectivorous plants, so
called from their being so constructed as
to attract insects, capture them in various
ways and feed upon them. A few of
these plants have been gathered from
their native habtat3 in the swamps Of
North Carolina and California, and
others have been sent from India,
Australia and Madagascar Perhaps the
best known of the group, and certainly
the most wonderful plant in the whole
vegetable kingdom is D.ongc muscipula,
commonly known as Venus Fly
Trap. The leaves vary from
one to six inches long, and at
the extremities are placed two blades or
claspcrs, the shape Of which may be said
to resemble two hands placed together
between the palms and the wrists, and
the fingers held backwards. The pains
Of the hands represent the inner walls of
the trap, while the fingers represent the
marginal hairs or teeth. On the inner
walls Of these claspers there are placed
six irritable hairs, any one of which re-
ceiving the slightest touch from an insect
is sufficient to bring the two blades to-
gether with such rapidity as to preclude
any possibility of the fly escaping. A
correct idea Of how the trap closes on its
victim may be obtained by bringing the
two hands rapidly together, the fingers
Of the one being firmly pressed between
those of the other. This plant readily
ilscrlminates between animal and other
matter; thus if small stone or piece of
wood be dropped into the trap, it will
instantly close, but as soon as it has found
out its mistake, and it only takes a few
minutes, it begins to unfold its trap and
the piece of wood or stone falls out. On
th5 other hand, should piece of beef or
biue-bottle fly be placed in it, it will
remain firmly closed until every particle
Of organic matter is absorbed through
the leaf. 1t will then unforld itself and
is ready for another meal.
Next in interest comes Sarracenia
purpurea. This species is popularity and
most appropriately called 'The Vegetable
Whiskey Shop" as it captures its
victims by intoxication. The entire
shop Is shaped after the manner of
aouse, with the entrance projecting
little over the rim. Half way round the
orim OF the cavity there are an immense
number Of honey glands, which the in
duence of the sun brings into active
operation. This sweet secretion acts rs
lure to passing insects, and they are
pretty sure, should they come within its
influence, to alight on the outside edge
md tap the nectar. They however, re-
nam there but brief PERIOD as there is
something more substantial inside the
cavity IN the shape of an intoxicating
liquid, which IS distilled by the plant.
The way down to this beverage is
straight; there is no crossing over, as
the entrance is paved with innumerable
inc hairs all pointing to the bottom, and
should the fly walk crooked. its feet be-
come entanged in them. When the fly
aas had its first nip, it does not stop and
by right out, as it could do, but it in
dulges until it is more than "half seas
over;" it then comes staggering up and
reaches that portion where the hairs be-
gin; here its progress outward is stopped
owing to the points of the hairs being
placed against it. The fly is now in a
pltlable plight; it attempts to use its
wings, but in doing so, only hastens its
OWN destruction 1t inevitably reaches
'he bottom, gets immersed in the liquid
md dies drunk
Another species, which, were it plenti-
III, would prove boon and blessing
o man, is Drosera dichotoma, the mus
quito catcher. 1t grows about one foot
llgh, and as its specific name implies,
he leaves, after reaching a certain height
'ifurcate into long narrow spatches,
which are denseIy covered with club
ipped, rose colored hairs, each of which
covered with a bright gummy sub
tance. This, during sunshine, gives to
he plant a most magnificent appearance
his curious plant would seem to have
reat attractions for the musquito, for if
plant be placed in a room where they
bound, all of the troublesome pests
7lll, in brief period, he in its deadly
mbrace, at first struggling to dsin-
angie leg or wing, anon finding itself
lore and more within its tolls. 1t is
lost interesting to watch the method by
'hich it secures its prey. Immediately .
he fly alights on the leaf, it may be that
My one of its six legs stick to the sweet,
lscid substance at the extremity of the =
airs, but in struggling to free itself it
lyariably touches with its legs or wings
le contiguous hairs, and is Immediately =
xed. The hairs meantime are not idle; !
sing sensitive, tna5 slowly but surely j.,
lrl round and draw their victim into !.
lie very centre of the leaf thus bring
g it into contact with the very short "
iirs, which are placed there in order to ! !
cilitate the process of sucking the life
ood from the body. This interesting
ant is, besides few others, very diff
lit to cultivate. Even after initiating cl
lture as closely as possible, the plants
rive but indifferently. n,
1t is estimated that when the Lick b,
lescope shall be finished and set in !.