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"Insectivorous Plants," By Charles Darwin (London: John Murray, 1 vol.), is a work to which we cannot do full justice in the space at our disposal. It is marked by the careful research for which its author is famous. The habits and peculiarities of several insectivorous plants are noted with great minuteness of detail. Attention is chiefly given to the common sun-dew (drosera rotundifolia).

As far back as 1860, Mr. Darwin's attention was specially directed to this plant, and then he began to study it with care. The conclusion at which he arrives is, that the leaves of this plant are capable of true digestion, and that the glands absorb the digested matter, these being, he says "perhaps the most interesting of all my observations on Drosera, as no such power was before distinctly known to exist in the vegetable world." [p. 268]

The work is suitably illustrated. It is a fitting companion to the other works of the author, and ought to receive a welcome from the intelligent section of the reading public.