FROG-BIT. 85 



to be prevented from usurping the entire tank. Even 

 more beautiful than this is the frog-bit, whose kidney- 

 shaped, bronze-coloured leaves are most exquisitely 



Water Frog-bit (Hydrocharis morsus-raiuc). 



meshed with veins. The plant is very tenacious of 

 life, and may readily be accustomed to the aquarium. 

 The flowers possess three petals, and are white and 

 fragile looking. The water soldier (Stratiotes aloides) 

 is a very abundant plant in Norfolk and Suffolk, as 

 anglers thereabouts have long since discovered. It 

 has to be planted in deepish soil at the bottom of the 

 tank. Its leaves are thick and strong, and fringed 

 with a margin of recurved spines like those of the 

 aloe, whence its other name of the " water aloe." 

 The flowers are very pretty, and have three petals 



