. An introduction to vegetable physiology. Plant physiology. 190 VEGETABLE PHYSIOLOGY definite digestive fluid possessing properties like those of the secretions of the stomach and pancreas of the higher animals by the instrumentality of which the insoluble proteins of their prey are converted into peptones, and possibly partially into amino- and amido-acids, prior to actual absorption. Among these Nepenthes may be men- tioned. The pitchers of Nepenthes (fig. 94) are in the main similar to those of Sarra- cenia. They possess means of attracting insects to them, of seducing them into the in- te
. An introduction to vegetable physiology. Plant physiology. 190 VEGETABLE PHYSIOLOGY definite digestive fluid possessing properties like those of the secretions of the stomach and pancreas of the higher animals by the instrumentality of which the insoluble proteins of their prey are converted into peptones, and possibly partially into amino- and amido-acids, prior to actual absorption. Among these Nepenthes may be men- tioned. The pitchers of Nepenthes (fig. 94) are in the main similar to those of Sarra- cenia. They possess means of attracting insects to them, of seducing them into the in- terior of the pitcher, and of preventing their subsequent escape, all of which are com- parable to those already de- scribed. The pitchers contain a watery liquid, which is secreted by their interior surfaces, and which has a faintly acid reaction. When an animal is captured and falls into the liquid, it sets up a further secretion, which is more strongly acid, and which contains a peculiar body known as an enzyme or ferment, the properties of which will be discussed in a subsequent chapter. This ferment somewhat closely re- sembles the active principles of the gastric and pancreatic juices of the human body, and in the acid medium is capable of converting the proteins of the prey into peptone, leucin, and tyrosin, products which are all soluble and diffusible. This secretion is prepared by special glands, which are. Fig. 94.—Modified Leaf (Pitcher) of Nepenthes. (After Kerner.). Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrations may not perfectly resemble the original Green, J. Reynolds (Joseph Reynolds), 1848-1914. Philadelphia, P. Blakiston
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