Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-06-19

Flowers I'm the Botanical Garden that
Set Traps for Flies.
FLOWER THAT SELECTS ITS FooD-rIPPLrNt
FLIES THAT DIE THE DEATH OF DRUNKARps-
A VEGETABLE DIsrrLLKRY--AN Errxcr1v,
MOSQUITO CATCHER, &C.

A VEGETABLE DIsrrLLKRY--AN srrxcr1vx
MOSQUITO CATCHER. &C.
Among the many rare and interesting plants
forming the collection in the Botanical garden
here, there has recently oecn 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 habitats
in the swamps OF North Carolina and California,
and others have been gratuitously 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 DionIo n,tsciputa,
commonly known as Venus Fly Trap. The
leaves vary from one TO six inches long, and at
the extremities are placed two blades or clasp
ers, the shape of which, may be saidto resemble
and the wrists and the ringers held bacswards
The palms OF the hands represent the inner
wall walls Of the trap, while the fingers repre-
walls OF these ciaspers, there are placed ak
irritable hairs, any one of which receiving the
slightest touch from an insect is sufficient to
bring the two blades together with such rapid
tie ny sscapins. A amy correct pasS'0 ides Of Of
obtained by bringing the two hands rapidly
together, the fingers of the one peing firmly
pressed between those of the other. This plant
readily discrimtnates between animal and
other NATTER thus II a small stone OF piece Of
wood be dropped into the trap, it will instantly
take, aud it only takes a few minutes, it begins
TO unfold its trap and the piece Of wood or stone
falls out. On the other hand, should piece OF
remain firmly closed until every particle of
organic matter is absorbed through the leaf. 1t
will then unfold itself and is ready for another
meal.
VEGETABLE WHISKY SHOP.
Next in interest comes Sdrracenia purpurea.
This species is popularity and most appropri.
ately called "The Vegetable Whisky Shop" as
1t captures its victims by intoxication. Here is
Gates. The entire shop is shaped after the man.
ner OF house, with the entrance projecting q
little over the rim. Half way round the brim
OF the cavity there are an immense number of
honey glands, which the influence OF the sun
brings into active operation. This sweet secre-
are pretty sure, should they come within its in.
tue nectar. They, however. remain there but
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, the en-.
trance Is paved with innumerable fine hairs all
pointing TO the bottom, and should the fly walk
When the fly has had its first nip, it does not
stop and fly right out, al 1t could do, but it In
dulges until it is more than "hali seas over" it
tnen comes staggering up and reaches that
portion where the hairs begin, here its progress
outward is stopped owing to the points Of the
IL.
a pitiabe plight, it attempts to use its wings,
but in doing SO, only hastens its own destruc-
ton. 1t inevitably reaches the bottom, gets
immersed i'll the liquid ind dies drunk.
Another species Of the last mentioned genus,
Surrocenia pSittdcind, also distiis an intoXicaut
OF its own, but owing to the peculiarly compli-
Gated formation OF the entrance TO its inner
parts 1t excludes the great majority of insects
ana admits but select few. In Europe it is
known as the "city club insectcide." The in-
dividual pitchers somewhat resemble an i'll
Verted parrots bill, with q narrow leaf like ex-
p pans ,.I running along the top. The color is
Ihe Inside OF the pitcher is divided into three
parts, the FIRST nearest the entrance, Is studded
with minute honey glands and is called the at
inside, very minute hairs are situated, with
their extremities all pointing to the other
Last the small hairs give place to longer Ones
amidst which are placed secreting pores, which
give forth the Intoxicating nectar; this is
termed the detentive surface. When the
pitcher has caught a sufficient number of in
sects the nectar gives.place to substance, which
has been ascertained TO be identical with gas.
trio juice in it's constituents This is evidently
to enable the plant more readily to digest its
food.
THE MOSQUITO CATCHER.
Another species which, were 1t plentiful,
DrOserd dichotomd, the mosquito catcher. 1t
grows about one foot high, and as its specific
name implies, the leaves after reaching Ger.
tain height, bifurcate into long narrow spa thes
rose colored hairs, each OF which are coated with
bright gummy substance. This, during sun
shine, gives 10 the plant q most magnificent ap-
pearance. This curious plant would seem to
have great attractions for the mosquito, for if q
plant Oe placed In a room where they abound
all OF the troublesome pests will, in brief
period be in its deadly embrace, at first
struggling to disentangle leg Or wing,
anon finding itself more and more
the method by which 1t secures its prey. Imme-
diately the fly aights on the leaf, it may be
that only one OF its six legs stick to the sweet
viscid substance at the extremity of the hairs
but in struggling to free itself it invariably
touches with Its legs or wings the contagious
time are not idle, being sensitive, they slowly,
but surely curl round and draw their victim
into the very center of the leaf, thus bringing
1t into contact with the very short hairs which
are placed there in order TO facilitate the pro-
cess OF sucking the lie blood from its body.
This Interesting plant is, besides q lew others
very difficult TO cultivate. Even after initiating
nature as closely rs possible, the plants thrive
m n