40S THE PALM-TKEE FAMILY. 



Booth, near Knutsford. Ponds about Whitefield and Thomham. 

 (J. P.) Bramhall. (Mr. Isaac Williamson.) Leigh and Tyldesley. 

 (J. E.) Atherton and Little Hulton. (R. H.) Pits in Eccles fields, 

 plentiful, and in a pit near Slack Lane, Eccles. (J. S.) Fl. July, 

 August. 



E. B. ^-i. 379 ; Baxter, vi. 413. 



A very remarkable plant, and one of very rapid growth, completely hiding the 

 water, if allowed to spread undisturbed for a few years. The " Infirmary pond," 

 itself a thing of the past, was covered with it twenty-five years since ; as was like- 

 wise the pond on the site of which Piatt Church now stands. 



2. Fbogbit — {Hydrocharis Morsus-rdnw.) 

 Ponds and slow-moving waters, rather uncommon. Ponds at Long- 

 ford, with the .B2</om?<s. Common at Tyldesley. (J. E.) " Ponds at 

 Bowdon," (introduced ?) Ponds in Eccles fields, so completely roofed 

 over with it that a rat could run across without getting wet-footed. 

 (J. S.) Fl. July, August. 



,_ . . , Curtis, i. 209 ; E. B. xii. 808 ; Baxter, vi. 441. 



A charming little plant, in general figure a pigmy water-lily, and excellently 

 suited for the aquarium. 



In addition to these two indubitable natives, thei'o is now very abundantly 

 naturalized in ponds and slow streams, the " Canadian water-weed," or Andcharis 

 Ahin&strum. The stems of this curious invader are wholly submerged, very 

 slender, much branched, and clothed with small and sessile leaves, which are 

 about three-fourths of an inch in length, and usually three together. The flowers 

 grow in the axils of the upper leaves, and often have the slender perianth-tube 

 elongated two or three inches, so as to reach the surface of the water, where it 

 terminates in three or six small and spreading segments. Female plants 

 alone are known in this country as yet. The Anacharis was first noticed in 

 England in 1842. Since then it has spread rapidly, and in some parts has 

 become a terrible weed, choking up water-courses and canals. It occurs about 

 Sale, Longford, Ashton-upon- Mersey, Withington, Bradford, Middleton, Booths- 

 town, Latchford, and in many other places. Along with the beautiful Vallisneria, 

 which is also a member of the Ilydrocharidea;, it makes a charming aquarium 

 plant. The Vallisneria is kno\vn by its very long, narrow, bright grass-green leaves, 

 like transparent ribbons ascending from the bottom of the water towards the 

 surface. If a glass jar containing a root of it be placed in a hot-bed, it will flower 

 prettily. 



CXXXV.— THE PALM-TREE FAMILY. Pabmicece. 



The palm-trees, styled by Linntcus, the " princes of the vegetable 

 kingdom," are at once the largest and noblest of Endogenous plants. 



