172 GOLDFISH VARIETIES AJ^D 



For some years American aquarists depended upon plants gathered 

 locally from rivers, creeks, mill races, etc. Owing to the long-established 

 habit of dying down to the tuft in winter, the plant had a strong tendency 

 to keep to the schedule, even when kept in a warm aquarium over winter. 

 In order to overcome this difficulty a search was made for a stock grow- 

 ing in a climate without severe winters. This plan was completely suc- 

 cessful. In 1910 we were fortunate enough to secure a single small plant 

 from Italy which, by careful propagation and distribution among leading 

 aquarists, has now multiplied itself into the many thousands. There is 

 every reason why it should establish itself in further favor among those 

 having large or fairly deep aquaria. It grows and multiplies constantly 

 and the runners lie close to the bottom, not requiring to be pushed down 

 like young Sagittaria plants. Contrary to the advice of some writers, we 

 advise against deep planting. It is important that the crown be not 

 covered, but just at the surface. The plant is not well suited to small 

 aquaria, as it grows from 18 to 36 inches, according to conditions. If 

 closely confined it is likely to get into a tangled mass whenever a fish has 

 to be caught. Allowed to rise to the surface and then extend horizontally 

 on it for some distance it produces a luxuriant picture. Rising from either 

 end of the aquarium and trained over the surface towards the centre, 

 Yallisneria makes the best of frames to show off the more brilliant beauties 

 of the fishes. The sexes are separate in Vallisneria, fertilization taking 

 place in a peculiar manner. The female flower, small, cup-shaped and 

 white, floats at the end of a long spiral scape on the surface of the water. 

 The male flower on another plant comes only a short distance from the 

 crown. It is a case containing pollen balls. When the case splits the 

 pollen floats to the top, where, by the action of wind, insects or other 

 chance, fertilization is accomplished. Few of these plants in the aquarium 

 start from seed. 



For one or two large plants to dominate the centre of the 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, accord- 

 ing to conditions. This variety is also a constant grower. Stocks of 

 VaUisneria or Sagittaria 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. 



ANACHARIS 



Known to American aquarists as Anacharis and in Europe as Elodea 

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

 ington's Curse. Some of the rather uncomplimentary titles are due to a 



