Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 October 1892 — The Insect-Eater. [ARTICLE]

The Insect-Eater.

One of the most curious and interesting plants is the nepenthes, or “insect-eater.” The peculiar formation of the flower and the appendage to the apex of the leaf likens it to a pitcher—hence the name. Connected with the point of this leaf—by means of a tendril resembling a strap—is a tube, shaped somewhat like an antique vase. This will hold from half a pint to a pint of water. Over the mouth of this tube or vase, or somethrown back from it, is a leaf resembling a cover or lid. When the tube or vase is fairly well filled with a treacle-like fluid the lid opens and insects are attracted inside by the liquid, which apparently intoxicates them at the first taste, for they immediately fall over into the vase, without power to remove themselves from the gluey substance.