214 AMONG THE WILD FLOWERS. 
leaves 3 in a whorl, something like Thyme 
leaves, many whorls close together. It belongs 
to the Nat. Ord. HyprocHarIiDACE&, which 
Order includes the interesting Vallsneria 
spiralis, so often seen in aquariums, known by 
its long narrow bright grass-green leaves, as- 
cending from the bottom of the water to its 
surface. This plant is a native of Italy. The 
female flowers, which are white and tubular, 
rise to the surface on spiral peduncles. The 
male are on separate plants far below the level 
of the water, and when they are ready to dis- 
charge their pollen, their peduncles are set free, 
and the flowers rise to the surface. 
The phenomenon of vegetable circulation is 
admirably seen in Vallisneria under the micro- 
scope. 
Of the same Order is the Water-soldier, 
Stratiotes aloides, a remarkable plant with 
bayonet-shaped triangular leaves, delicate white 
dicecious flowers with three petals, male with 
12 or more stamens, female with 6 bifid styles. 
The leaves are in aloe-like tufts on the water's 
surface, produced from runners creeping in the 
mud. The plant rises to the surface of the 
water to flower, and sinks again afterwards. 
