The movements, though slow, are orderly, methodical, and effective, the secretions of many glands being brought to bear on just those substances which are capable of digestion and absorption by the plant. The seemingly concerted action is moreover due to an organic transmission of impulses from cell to cell--a transmission accompanied by visible changes in a purple substance contained within the cells. In the Sun-dew any tentacle may form the starting-point of the spreading wave of impulse. But in the Venus’s Fly-trap there are six delicate spines, the slightest touch on any one of which causes the two halves of the specially modified leaf-end to fold inwards on the midrib as a hinge. The transmission of impulse is more rapid, the trap closing in a few seconds; and electric currents have been observed to accompany the change. Tooth-like spines at the edge of the trap interlock, and serve to prevent the escape of small insects, while short-stalked purple glands secrete an acid digestive juice. Division of labour has been carried further; and organic behaviour, not less purposive, is carried out in a manner even more effective. [Illustration: FIG. 7.--Venus’s Fly-trap (_Dionæa_). Leaf viewed laterally in its expanded state. (From Darwin’s “Insectivorous Plants.”)] In other plants adaptive movements are well known. “Few phenomena have such a peculiar appearance as the movements which occur in the sensitive Oxalis when rain comes on. Not only do the leaflets on which the finest rain-drops fall fold together in a downward direction, but all the neighbouring ones perform the same movement, although they have not themselves been shaken by the impact of the falling drops. The movement is continued to the common leaf-stalk bearing the numerous leaflets. This also bends down towards the ground. The rain-drops now slide over the bent leaf-stalk and down over the depressed leaflets, and not a drop remains behind on their delicate surfaces.”[8] The waves of impulse are said to be transmitted along definite lines, and to cause the expulsion of water from certain cells at the point of insertion of the leaflets or leaf-stalks, rendering them flaccid. [Illustration: FIG. 8.--Flower of _Valisneria_.]