Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1896-05-28
Ant-Eating Plants.

be the case in many instances. We
read wonderful accounts of this curl
Gus property in strange plants of for
eign countries, but you may be sur
prised to learn that we have a very
interesting insect eater in our own
country, the saraeenia. Even If we
are inclined to doubt the statement
that the plants really digest and as
simulate the insects that they catch
and kill, their method of entrapping
them makes them worthy of careful
study.
The sarracema is more commonly
known as sidesaddle flower, American
pitcher plant, huntsmans cup, etc.
These plants are common throughout
the New England States, and are
found in great numbers in boggy To-
calities. Their leaves are folded spi-
rally, IN the manner Of the pitcher
plant
Clark in his travels discovered many
curious sorts of these insect-catching
plants, and deep in the tamaraek
swamp hundreds were found. They
were clustered about the foot Of each
tree, and thickly covered with the
carpet of shsguum moss for yards
around. 1t was very late in May when
these were studied and the blooming
season was at its height From every
plant rose several OF the graceful flower
stalks, varying from one foot to a foot
and half in height each stalk bear
ing one of the large, nodding, purphsh
green flowers.
From the tangled roots, buried just
under the moss, spring the numerous
dark green and mottled insect entrap-
ping leaves, all clustered, rosette-llke,
about the central flower stalk, and
often numbering fifty to plant. The
part of each leaf that answers to the
petiole is greatly developed, taperlng
pitcher-shaped and along its upper face
it bears a broad, erect wing Sur
mounting the followed petiole, and
forming the spout of the pitcher, Is
the Zip, the reduced and modified
blade of the leaf
The inner surface Of the lip, as well
as the lower part Of the pitcher IS
covered with long stiff hairs, project
ing downward and inward. The upper
part of the inner surface Of the pitcher
is smoother and more slippery than
glass, and Of such chemical nature that
the feet of the insects will not stick to
it. Very often there are nectar Sc
creting glands along the pitcher : ring
and at its mouth. The dews and rain
and frequent washing up of the swamp
water by the wind, all serve to keep
these pitchers at least half full Of
water.
Insects are enticed into the leaves
either by the honey glands or by
thirst, or they enter in search OF shell
ter. The hairs on the lip readily per-
nit the insect to crawl downward, but
on its attempting to crawl up again
they confront it like a phalanx OF
spears and efectually force It back.
When within the pitcher its feet can
not cling to the slippery surface, and
down it inevitably goes to a watery
grave, the hairs in the lower part OF
the pitcher forcing it towards the
bottom.
Whether or not a digestive fluid is
secreted by the pitcher, which mingle'
with the water, has been a question
among boanists. No chemical test
has ever positively shown it, but the
fact that the decomposition Of the in
sect bodies is very much more rapid
than in pure water, strongly supports
the belief that some digestive element
is secreted, for it is well known that
the presence Of a quantity much toe
small for detection by most chemical
tests would be sufficient TO cause very
decided digestive action. The nutn-
tious solution is absorbed and asslml'
lated by the leaf, and the plant thrivef
upon this animal diet. Great numbers
Of decomposing insects are usually
found in the bottom of each pitcher.
There is botanist in Washington
Mr.. William Smith, superintendent Of
the botanic gardens, who holds to the
belief that the fluid, in certain yarie-
ties of these plants, intoIicates the
insects. In nearly all varieties the
fluid found in the bottom Of the pitcher
seems to attract and at the same time
to poison the insects, especially the
gnats, which flock to it in great num-
bers. Sometimes thousand ants will
be found in single pitcher, besides
the flying insects that are entraPped.
An inquisitive person passing along