190 



GOLDFISH VAEIETIES A:N^D 



HETERANTHERA 



Hcteranthcra zosteracfolia is a very light green plant, slightly re- 

 sembling Anacharis, but with longer, more widely separated leaves. It is 

 a rapid grower, soon reaching the top, where it lays limp on the surface 

 of the water. A good oxygenator, but has never become very popular on 

 account of its rambling, untidy habits. Can occasionally be had of dealers. 



LACE PLANT 



This extraordinary plant, Onviranda fenestralis, is a native of Mada- 

 gascar. Its dark-green skeleton leaves appear very fragile, but in reality 

 they are the toughest-leaved aquarium plant we know of. They are slow 



Fig. 140. Madagascar Lace Plant 

 {Life sice, half-grown) 



of growth and prefer a subdued light. Propagation is by division at the 

 root. This sometimes takes place in the aquarium, but they do best in 

 wooden tanks. At best they are slow growers which in a way is an ad- 

 vantage, for they eventually become rather large. The Lace- or Lattice- 

 leaf plant is used purely for ornamental purposes, its qualities as an oxy- 

 genator being negligible. 



