The California Darlingtonia seems to have been specially devised for the
securing of winged creatures. The plant is most singular in appearance,
and the upper part of the pitchers bear a remarkable resemblance to the
head of a snake. Part of the hood and also the two protruding leaves are
gaily colored in crimson. It should also be noted that the upper portion
of the hood is adorned with transparent patches, like so many little
windows. Now, the only opening into the pitcher of the Darlingtonia is
quite a small hole on the under side of the hood. As in the case of the
other pitcher plants, the orifice of this hole is freely supplied with
honey, and this extends well into the interior of the receptacle.
Owing to the attraction of the little windows, which have been already
mentioned, the flies do not attempt to get out of the hole to the extent
which might be supposed. The light streaming through the transparent
spaces seems to convince the insects that in that direction lies the
path to freedom. At all times it is possible to see perhaps a dozen
flies bobbing against the windows in a vain endeavor to escape. Finally,
wearied to death by their hopeless endeavors to escape, the insects fall
down into the lower part of the pitcher and become suffocated by the
fluid it contains.