Some interesting experiments may be made with the sundew.

If bits of meat, fish, bone, or white of egg are placed on the leaf, it will act in the same way it does when an insect gets caught. But if things not used for food, such as bits of hair, thread, stone, or glass, are placed on it, the hairs will bend, but not so rapidly; then they will unbend and release the things, without having had any effect on them.

These leaves do not die after a hearty meal, as those of the Venus's flytrap do.

THE PITCHER PLANT

belongs with the other savages, although it acts in a less bloodthirsty manner.

We naturally expect better things of such a pretty plant with its dull red, its delicate pink or light green flowers, but, "Handsome is that handsome does," you know. It is the long tubelike leaves with bright-colored veins and overhanging lids that do all the mischief.

The upper part of each pitcher is lined with

hairs which point downward, while the lower part is filled with a watery liquid which helps the plant's digestion.

The insect visitor does not notice these things as he enters, but, once past the projecting hairs, he slips down the smooth sides of the pitcher into the pool beneath. There is no way out for him; he cannot climb the smooth, slippery sides, and if he were to try. to fly out, the projecting hairs would prevent him.

The plant slowly dis

PITCHER PLANT

solves and absorbs him for dinner.

But a word must be said on the side of the savages.

They all have small roots, and grow in damp, marshy places where the soil furnishes them so little food that perhaps they have to set their traps in self-defense.

GREEN THINGS GROWING

Он, the green things growing, the green things growing,

The faint, sweet smell of the green things growing!

I should like to live, whether I smile or grieve, Just to watch the happy life of my green things growing!

Oh, the fluttering and the pattering of the green things growing!

How they talk each to each, when none of us are knowing;

And the wonderful white of the weird moonlight Or the dim dreary dawn when the cocks are crowing.

I love them, I love them so,

growing!

my green things

And I think that they love me, without false showing;

For by many a tender touch, they comfort me so

much,

With the soft, mute comfort of green things growing.

ANTS AND THEIR SLAVES

ONE day when Peter Huber, the son of the celebrated observer of the manners and habits of bees, was walking in a field near Geneva, he saw on the ground a large number of reddish-colored ants on the march, and decided to follow them. On the flanks of the column, as if to dress its ranks, a few sped to and fro in eager haste. After marching for about a quarter of an hour, they halted before an ant-hill belonging to the small black ants, and a desperate struggle took place at its gates.

A small number of blacks offered a brave resistance; but the great majority of the people fled through the gates farthest from the scene of battle, carrying away their young. It was just these which were the cause of the strife; what the blacks most justly feared was the theft of their children. And soon the red ants, that had succeeded in getting into the city, might be seen coming out from it loaded with the young black ants.

The red ants, carrying the black ones, left the unfortunate city and went on to their own home, whither their astonished and almost breathless observer followed them. But how was his astonishment increased when, at the entrance to the red ants' home, a small population of black ants came forward to receive the stolen ants, welcoming with joy these children of their own race.

This, then, was a mixed city, where the strong warrior ants lived in a perfectly good understanding with the little blacks. But what of the latter? Huber speedily discovered that they did everything. They alone built; they alone brought up the young red ants and the captive black ones; they alone provided the supplies of food, and waited upon and fed their red masters, who, like great infant giants, allowed their little attendants to feed them at the mouth. No other occupations were theirs but war, theft, and kidnapping. They did nothing in the intervals but wander about lazily, and bask in the sunshine at the door.

Huber made an experiment. He was anxious to know what would be the result if the great red