{"product_id":"insectivorous-plants-9781445541785","title":"Insectivorous Plants","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFirst published in 1875, \u003cem\u003eInsectivorous Plants\u003c\/em\u003e is Charles Darwin's meticulous and fascinating study of carnivorous flora.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFollowing the publication of his theory of evolution, Darwin spent years conducting exhaustive experiments in his home laboratory at Down House. This book details his scientific investigations into how certain plants capture, digest, and absorb nutrients from insects and other small creatures.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDarwin focused primarily on the sundew (\u003cem\u003eDrosera\u003c\/em\u003e), observing its sticky tentacles curl inward to secure prey, but also studied the Venus flytrap (\u003cem\u003eDionaea\u003c\/em\u003e), the butterwort (\u003cem\u003ePinguicula\u003c\/em\u003e), and the bladderwort (\u003cem\u003eUtricularia\u003c\/em\u003e). He performed over 200 experiments, using everything from cubes of meat and drops of milk to various mineral salts, to determine the chemical and physiological processes involved. Darwin proved that the plants secrete an acidic fluid containing a digestive ferment (an enzyme) analogous to that found in the stomachs of animals. He also demonstrated that the plants only react to nitrogenous material (indicating a clear adaptation for obtaining protein) and that they use a minimal amount of energy for their movements.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eInsectivorous Plants\u003c\/em\u003e is regarded as a masterpiece of experimental botany, showcasing Darwin's thoroughness and confirming his view that the difference between the plant and animal kingdoms is often one of degree, not kind. It provided yet another clear example of the power of natural selection to drive complex adaptations, even in the plant world.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Charles Darwin\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Read \u0026amp; Co. Science\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 03\/25\/2010\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 472\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 1.31lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 8.50h x 5.50w x 1.05d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781445541785\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eDarwin, Charles:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e - Charles Robert Darwin (1809-1882) was born in Shropshire, England. His first text chronicling his five-year voyage on the HMS Beagle, which included his notable visit to the Galapagos Islands, earned him success as an author in 1839. His observations from the Galapagos, alongside an interest in natural history from an early age and studies over the consequent years, informed the development of his biological theories, culminating the ground-breaking text 'On the Origin of Species' for which he is best known.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Read \u0026 Co. Science","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":44810259202163,"sku":"9781445541785","price":51.3,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/9255\/0515\/files\/img_bd11649d-21e7-441e-9411-bb50cc54f623.jpg?v=1776774690","url":"https:\/\/bookstorenmore.com\/products\/insectivorous-plants-9781445541785","provider":"Bookstore N More","version":"1.0","type":"link"}