32 AQUATIC PLANTS 



A number of species are distributed throughout the United States, 

 many of them quite large, frequently with leaves extending well above 

 the water are only useful as bog plants. The majority of wild Sagittarias 

 are not suited to the aquarium. 



Sagittaria natans, known also as Ribbon Arrowhead, is, to the aquar- 

 ist, perhaps the most important of the group. It is of moderate size 

 and is suited to the average aquarium on that account. Multiplying 

 slowly, growing the entire year, supplying a large amount of oxygen and 

 thriving under varying conditions, it is very valuable. When an aquarium 

 is uprooted on account of Sagittaria or Vallisneria becoming too thick, 

 it will be found that the sand is not foul-smelling, showing that the 

 matted roots purify the soil. 



Sagittaria gigantea is believed to be a cultivated variety of S. sinensis. 

 Its leaves are broad and stocky, having a decidedly substantial quality, 

 and is one of the easiest plants to succeed with. A healthy specimen is 

 quite light in weight, and on this account must be well planted with roots 

 extending in different directions. Once established, it holds well and will 

 stand more rough usage from contact with fish-nets, etc., than any other 

 aquatic. Height, 10 to IS inches. It is better suited to a large aquarium 

 than a small one, but a single Giant Sagittaria in the centre of a smallei 

 tank, surrounded by some of its lesser cousins, makes a good effect. So 

 popular has this plant deservedly become that dealers have difficulty in 

 supplying it, and they are always ready to buy up any surplus stock. 



Sagittaria subulata has recently come into popularity on account of 

 its small size. Fanciers of tropical fishes, now becoming so numerous, 

 generally use small aquaria, and in order to produce a symmetrical picture 

 it is necessary to introduce plants of suitable proportion. The leaves 

 are of a rather dark shade of green, narrow and thick through, presenting 

 a strong, wiry appearance. Sagittaria subulata grows from 3 to 7 inches, 

 the stronger the light the shorter the leaves. It multiplies from runners 

 and eventually carpets the aquarium, making either a good spawning bed 

 or a miniature thicket in which young fishes may hide from cannibalistic 

 parents. Can be had from some dealers and is collected in the coast-wise 

 States from New York to Alabama. It is incorrectly known as S. pusilla. 



VALLISNERIA 



Vallisneria (Vallisneria spiralis) is another of the grass-like plants, 

 and has strap-shaped leaves of the same breadth almost their entire 

 length. It is known as Channel Grass, Eel Grass and Tape Grass. Ap- 

 pearing somewhat like Sagittaria, it has a distinct individuality of its own. 

 The leaves are of a lighter green and have a more translucent quality 



