From H. N. Ridley   15 April 1877

Sir.

I have taken the liberty to send to you several specimens of Saxifraga tridactylites by the viscous hairs of which minute Diptera are caught.¹ I hope they will arrive with the insects adhering to the leaves. It seems to me but a little step from the mere adhesion of accidentally caught insects to the power of holding and consuming them which the Sundew possesses.² Does not the red colour of the leaves serve to attract insects? I observe that the red leaves are generally more viscous than the green ones. It cannot be merely accidental that the Sundew and Saxifrage have red hairs.

I have observed no sign of inflection of the hairs when insects or meat are placed on it   I have never seen any insects except this species of Gnat, caught by this plant. It generally grows about here on old walls.

I remain Sir | Yours truly | H. N. Ridley.