TROPICAL AQUAKIUM FISHES 



177 



UTRICULARIA 



Many species of Uladderwort are distributed throughout the Temper- 

 ate Zone. They have somewhat the appearance of the finely-divided 

 leaves of Myriophyllum, but may be identified by the small bladders 

 (lotted throughout. Our figure 125 of U. vulgaris gives a good idea of 

 the general type. They thrive in the aquarium if given plenty of strong 

 light. The Bladderworts are carnivorous plants, trapping the micro- 

 scopic lower forms of animal life in their bladders, where they are di- 

 gested. It has been claimed that they can trap extremely small fishes, 



Fig. 124. Myriophyllum nietschei (Slicjhtly reduced) 

 Fig. 125. I iKK.MER Bl.midkrwokt {Reduced oue-third) 



such as the young of Dwarf Gourami, but we do not know that this has 

 ever been definitely proven. There can be no doubt, however, that the 

 plant docs take living food which would be useful to young fishes, and to 

 that extent is objectionable in the aquarium. 



