36 AQUATIC PLANTS 



For one or two impressive plants to dominate the centre of a large 

 aquarium, nothing is better than Giant Vallisneria, now brought from the 

 Southern States by some of our leading dealers. Its leaves are as wide 

 as those of Giant Sagittaria, but much longer, varying from two to four 

 feet, depending on conditions. This variety is also a constant grower. 

 Stocks of Vallisneria suited to the aquarium do not do well outdoors in 

 direct sun, the old leaves dying and the new ones only developing a few 

 inches in length. 



CABOMBA 



Commercially there is no doubt Cabomba is the leading aquatic 

 plant. Its finely-cut, fan-like, bright green leaves make a very good first 

 impression, although it does not live so well in the aquarium. It is 

 brittle and the fishes if active soon pick it to shreds. Even though this 

 does not occur, it becomes long, spindly, and degenerate. Enormous 

 quantities are gathered from ponds, some of them purposely planted, 

 from Pennsylvania to North Carolina. 



The plant under natural conditions is a good producer of oxygen, 

 but in the aquarium its activity in this respect is doubtful. 



Cabomba caroliniana is the species usually sold in bunches in pet 

 shops. It is well known as Washington Grass, Fanwort, and Water- 

 shield. In habit it is purely aquatic and propagates mainly by branching. 

 The stems in nature attain a length of several feet. 



Cabomba roseajolia is a species whose principal distinguishing char- 

 acteristic consists of a distinct reddish hue on the stems and lower sides 

 of the leaves. It, too, is a handsome plant when first introduced. 



ANACHARIS 



Known to American aquarists as Anacharis and in Europe as Elodea, 

 it is also popularly called Ditchmoss, Water Pest, Water Thyme, and 

 Babbington's Curse. Some of the rather uncomplimentary titles are due 

 to a characteristic which, at least in the aquarium, should be considered 

 a favorable point, that is, rapid growth. It may generally be taken for 

 granted that if an aquatic plant is thriving it is doing good work for 

 the aquarium. Several species are distributed throughout the United 

 States and Southern Canada. A cultivated variety, probably derived 

 from A. canadensis, is considerably larger than the common local speci- 

 mens to be found. The plant grows several feet in length, sending off 

 occasional shoots and a few roots at random that reach down into the 

 soil. In the aquarium it is best to only retain from 6 to 15 inches of the 

 newer growth, cutting away the old ends and replanting. As the plant 



