LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
FLO W ER-TRAPS.
(TO THE EDITOR OF THE SPECTATOR.")
SIR,—To enable me to answer your pertinent question about the utility of a fly-trap in the early stages of its development, it is necessary that I should know completely the history of that development, and the circumstances leading to it,—information which is still beyond my reach. Looking, however, at the arrangements in the rue-leaved saxifrage, in the butter-worts, in -the English sundews, in the pitcher-plants, and finally, in Venus's fly-trap, it is not difficult to build up a scheme of development which may serve as a hypothesis until the real facts are known to us. To illustrate the strength of the analogy would require a long dis- -course on the development of some special organ, such as the organ of smell, and for such a purpose I am sure you could not -afford me sufficient space in your columns. There are myriads of such details which still need elucidation ; and a priori objections based upon the limitation of our knowledge, though always to be treated seriously, must never be regarded as final.—I am, Sir, &c.,
.LAwsox TAIT.
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