30 THE FRESH-WATER AQUARIUM. 
floating foliage and thousands of snow-flakes, you will 
not be in a hurry to disturb it, it is so truly beautiful. 
But reach forth your hand, and tenderly take up a head ; 
and, as you draw it from its plashy bed, you will find 
that it is truly amphibious in structure, no part of the 
undergrowth being at all like that which floats above in 
the air and sunshine. The floating leaves are fleshy and 
RANUNCULUS AQUATALIS. 
neatly lobed, the lower ones are as finely cut as fennel, 
and from every joint numerous white rootlets will be seen 
protruding, on their way to find root at the bottom. This 
plant requires good washing in clear water before it is 
fixed in the tank, or it may be the means of introducing 
many objectionable growths. It will be best to cut away 
the lower portions, and root it from a good joint, allowing 
it just length enough to float its ark of green and white 
