another and rather torpid leaf. The lobes at the end with the cheese,
after an interval of six days, opened spontaneously a little; the cube
of cheese was much softened, but not dissolved, and but little, if at
all, reduced in size. Twelve hours afterwards the end with the albumen
opened, which now consisted of a large drop of transparent, not acid,
viscid fluid.
Experiment 12. Same experiment as the two last, and here again the leaf
at the end enclosing the cheese opened before the [page 304] opposite
end with the albumen; but no further observations were made.
Experiment 13. A globule of chemically prepared casein, about 1/10 of
an inch in diameter, was placed on a leaf, which spontaneously opened
after eight days. The casein now consisted of a soft sticky mass, very
little, if at all, reduced in size, but bathed in acid secretion.]
These experiments are sufficient to show that the secretion from the
glands of Dionaea dissolves albumen, gelatine, and meat, if too large
pieces are not given. Globules of fat and fibro-elastic tissue are not
digested. The secretion, with its dissolved matter, if not in excess,
is subsequently absorbed. On the other hand, although chemically
prepared casein and cheese (as in the case of Drosera) excite much acid
secretion, owing, I presume, to the absorption of some included
albuminous matter, these substances are not digested, and are not
appreciably, if at all, reduced in bulk.
[Effects of the Vapours of Chloroform, Sulphuric Ether, and Hydrocyanic
Acid. A plant bearing one leaf was introduced into a large bottle with
a drachm (3.549 ml.) of chloroform, the mouth being imperfectly closed
with cotton-wool. The vapour caused in 1 m. the lobes to begin moving
at an imperceptibly slow rate; but in 3 m. the spikes crossed, and the
leaf was soon completely shut. The dose, however, was much too large,
for in between 2 and 3 hrs. the leaf appeared as if burnt, and soon
died.
Two leaves were exposed for 30 m. in a 2-oz: vessel to the vapour of 30
minims (1.774 ml.) of sulphuric ether. One leaf closed after a time, as
did the other whilst being removed from the vessel without being
touched. Both leaves were greatly injured. Another leaf, exposed for 20
m. to 15 minims of ether, closed its lobes to a certain extent, and the
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