From the LINNEAN-NEWS:
The “irritable power” of carnivorous plants: Mary Treat, Charles Darwin and floral metaphors in the evolutionary narrative
17th September 2009 at 6:00pmAn evening meeting at The Linnean Society of London, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London, W1J 0BF
Speakers: Dawn Sanders FLS, Tina Gianquitto FLS and Randal Keynes FLS
Interest in insectivorous plants swept through both England and America in the 1870s and 1880s, judging by the number of articles published in popular periodicals. Both male and female authors, especially the American naturalist and popular science writer Mary Treat, fell under the spell of these “murderous plants” and spent considerable energy researching and writing about their hidden lives. This lecture will examine the ways in which insectivorous plants, made their way into the popular culture and how Charles Darwin and Mary Treat used their garden laboratories to understand the science of their digestive mechanisms.
Tea will be served in the Library from 5.30pm and the lecture will be followed by a wine reception. This meeting is free and open to all; registration is not necessary.
