[52]

(Digestion)

The external coats of the pollen-grains were did not appear at all affected & it is known that they pass through the intestinal canal of pollen-eating Diptera without being digested *(see Mr A. W. Bennett in Journal of Hort. Soc. of London Vol IV 1874 p 158.—

[Insectivorous plants, p. 117: "Many had their contents much shrunk, and some were almost empty. In only a few cases were the pollen-tubes emitted. There could be no doubt that the secretion had penetrated the outer coats of the grains, and had partially digested their contents. So it must be with the gastric juice of the insects which feed on pollen, without masticating it.*
* Mr. A.W. Bennett found the undigested coats of the grains in the intestinal canal of pollen-eating Diptera; see 'Journal of Hort. Soc. of London,' vol. iv. 1874, p. 158."]

[52v]

G Darwin to John Morley

17 Broadwater Down

Tunbrid