614 OCCASIONAL XOTES OX PLANTS, 



the fibres proceeding from the same zone : together with 

 filamentary processes bearing small utricles or air vessels. Calyx 

 unequally two lobed. Corolla monopetalous, but deeply divided 

 into two very unequal lips, and ending in a spur at the base. 

 The lower lip bears a convex appendage or palate. Stamens two, 

 attached to the upper section of the tube of the corolla. Style, 

 one. Stigma fan-shaped. Ovary superior ; quite globular. 

 Ovules numerous, ovoid; attached to a free central placenta. 

 Flowers usually in one or two pairs at the end of the stem. 



The interest attaching to this plant, arises from its singular 

 formation and its adaptation to certain ends. Its usual habitat 

 is either in shallow creeks ; where its roots are very slightly 

 attached to the soil, at a depth of six or eight inches below the 

 surface of the water ; while the flowers are generally three to six 

 inches above it, or in swamps, in parts where the surface is 

 usually cov^ered by water ; although, when the plant has once 

 become established, it does not seem to suffer by the partial 

 drying of the swamp ; provided the ground is left tolerably wet 

 and marshy. Prom the very slight attachment of the root to the 

 soil, (when growing in water) a mere touch will dislodge it. At 

 the time the plant is in flower, the utricles or air vessels, attached 

 to the root are distended, and would, in case of the plant being 

 so dislodged, assist it to float, and so keep its flowers above the 

 surface of the water. I think myself, (but I do not speak 

 positively on this point) that this provision is made to enable the 

 plant to preserve its pollen ; which is generally injured by 

 becoming wet. This is necessary in case of an increase in the 

 depth of the stream ; which, if the plant were firmly attached to 

 the soil would then submerge it. In case of such an increase in 

 the depth of the water, the plant would be lifted from its very 

 slight hold of the soil, and then the utricles would act as floats, 

 keeping the head of flowers above the surface. In all cases, when 

 I have tried the experiment by carefully drawing the plant out 



