5 
may be reckoned among the most remarkable of aquatic plants. 
As is well known to botanists, it belongs to a group of Aroidee, 
among which its nearest affinity is with the Lemna, or Duckweeds 
of our ponds and ditches, and like them it lives in floating masses 
upon the surface of water, and without any attachment to soil, 
in tropical countries; but, instead of being, as our species of 
Lemna, almost microscopic objects, each plant is a span or more 
across, and Roxburgh likens the general appearance toa Lettuce ; 
the leaves, however, are of a handsome form and far more 
beautiful texture, strongly marked with nearly parallel nerves, 
prominent on the under side. Kunth (following other authors), 
has enumerated no less than seven species of Stratiotes; but, I 
fear, without sufficient grounds of distinction, further than what 
may be afforded by difference of country. Assuredly our plant 
from the West Indies (P. occidentalis, Bl. and Kunth), affords 
no distinguishing marks from the East Indian species (P. Strati- 
otes, L.), figured by Dr. Roxburgh ; but on this subject we shall 
have an opportunity of enlargmg when we come to figure our 
plant ; for it has already produced its curious flowers and a 
drawing of it is taken. We shall merely further observe here 
that no stove aquarium ought to be without this plant. It is 
indeed in a dormant state, small and shrivelled in the winter; 
but, as spring advances, it grows rapidly and soon occupies a 
great space of surface with its elegant floating masses of foliage. 
6. ARTEMISIA LACTIFLORA, Wall. 
Caule erecto herbaceo angulato-sulcato, foliis stipulatis mferioribus am- 
plis (spithameeis et ultra) pinnatis, lobis rhombeo-ovatis remotis incisis, ter- 
minali magno 8—5-lobo lobis obovato-cuneatis tequaliter inciso-lobatis, 
superioribus 3—5-lobatis (vix pinnatis), capitulis in ramos elongatos 
ciles basi foliosos interrupte spicatis, involucris scariosis nitidis— Wall. Cat. 
Compos. n. 414. De Cand. Prodr. vol. vi. p. 115. 
Has. China; whence it was introduced by Mr. Reeves to the Botanic 
Garden, Calcutta ; and by Dr. Wallich to the Kew Gardens in 1828. 
A very distinct species of Wormwood; with little beauty to 
recommend its general cultivation. It proves hardy in an open 
border in front of a stove, sending up its herbaceous and purple 
stems, about two feet in height durmg summer, flowering in the 
autumn, and dying down in the winter. The stem-leaves, below 
the flowering branches, are truly pinnated (though not so described 
by Dr. Wallich), the lobes broad, and very distant. 
7. Potyconum (He.xrinet, Br.) cOoMPLEXUM. 
Caule flexuoso anguloso fruticoso siccitate subangulato, ramis divarica- 
VOL. II. Cc 
