. Physiological botany; I. Outlines of the histology of phænogamous plants. II. Vegetable physiology. Plant physiology; Plant anatomy. 91G. The exact nature of the liquid in the pitchers is not fully understood. Mellicharnp's observations seem to indicate that it has the power of accelerating the decomposition of animal matter. Nothing is yet known positively as to tlie manner in which the products of decomposition are utilized by the plant, if, indeed, they are at all serviceable to it.^ 917. Darlingtonia has been examined by Canby, who finds strong indications that it allures insects much as
. Physiological botany; I. Outlines of the histology of phænogamous plants. II. Vegetable physiology. Plant physiology; Plant anatomy. 91G. The exact nature of the liquid in the pitchers is not fully understood. Mellicharnp's observations seem to indicate that it has the power of accelerating the decomposition of animal matter. Nothing is yet known positively as to tlie manner in which the products of decomposition are utilized by the plant, if, indeed, they are at all serviceable to it.^ 917. Darlingtonia has been examined by Canby, who finds strong indications that it allures insects much as the Sarra- ccnias do. This striiving plant has long been a favor- ite in the green- house on account of its peculiar leaves, which often combine a blade, a tendril, and a well- formed urn. The species of Nepenthes (about thirtj' in number) produce pitchers at the extremity of their tendril- like leaves. When the plants are young these pitchers are less elongated and are apt to ^_,_-^« r|m, rest on the ground, and in i^^^^ m such plants their whole inte- '^^ rior is clothed with secreting glands. When the plant is older, the pitchers become more distinctly tubular, and do not possess such conspicuous wings as those found in the form just mentioned. All of them have lids; in one ease the hd is 1 It is interesting to observe some of the early conjectures as to the probable use of these pitchers. "Morrison spealcs of the lid, which in all the species is tolerably rigidly fixed, as being furnished by Providence with a hinge. This id(^a was adopted by Linnaius, and somewhat amplified by succeeding writers, who declared that in dry weather the lid closed over the mouth and checked the loss of water by evaporation. Catesby, in his fine work on the 'Natural History of Carolina,' supposed that these water-receptacles might 'serve as an asylum or secure retreat for numerous insects, from frogs and other animals whicli feed ou them ;' and others followed Linnjeus in regarding the p
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, booksubjectplantanatomy, bookyea
