From Horace Pearce   16 November 1876

Dear Sir,

Not long ago I was descending the lower slopes of Cader Idris, bearing some fine plants of Drosera and Pinguicula,¹ with flies caught strikingly on the former—fresh & struggling, when three Artists left their easels & crowded to witness the remarkable sight!

Now with the aid of your carefully written work I was able & gratified to study & experiment upon them at home, & found their digestive powers truly wonderful.² I had them planted in peat, & the pans immersed in pans of water, with bell glasses over most of the time. But they have gradually died off. Do you think it is caused by the less pure air of this inland County, & our short distance (12 miles) from smoky Birmingham? It was previous to the late cold, & not caused thereby, I believe.

Have you remarked that the “hairs” extending part way down the leaf stalks of Drosera are just where a fly, if walking off, would be first likely otherwise to escape?

Faithfully yours | Horace Pearce. | F.G.S.