376 THE RIVER-SIDE NATURALIST. 



" By encouraging the growth of water-plants, which can 

 usually be got close at hand, an increased supply of animal 

 life is produced. It is necessary, however, to use care in 

 the introduction of these plants, as there are some that 

 are very objectionable. The American weed (Anacharis 

 alsinastruni), for instance, that is invaluable in my ponds, 

 where I have it thoroughly under control, is to be dreaded 

 in all natural waters, as, once introduced, it is very difficult 

 to get rid of, and fills a place up. The bladderwort 

 (Utricularid) actually eats perch. There are many plants 

 that are very good, however, and require but little keeping 

 in check. Amongst those are the water-lobelia (L. Dort- 

 manua) and the quillwort (Iscetes lacustris), which are both 

 bottom-loving plants, and grow in from a foot to six feet 

 of water, and form a beautiful green covering of aquatic 

 herbage. Of the two, the lobelia prefers the shallow 

 water, while the quillwort thrives in the deeper. The 

 stonewort (Cham flexilis] is another, and I would certainly 

 have a few white w r ater-lilies in the pond. I have often 

 heard anglers object to them, but they are so easily kept in 

 check, spread so slowly, and can all be mown down bodily 

 if desired, that I have always gone in for a few of them, 

 and have found them very useful." 



In June and July, one's attention is often attracted by 

 the gorgeous display of the masses of yellow golden flowers 

 of the YELLOW WATER-!RIS, CORN- FLAG, or FLEUR DE LUCE 

 (Iris pseudo acorns) Fig. in " E. B.," 1495. The exquisite 

 colour, the beautiful curve of the flower (hence its name 

 Iris), its tall, elegant stem, and graceful leaves, combine to 

 make it the queen of aquatic plants. The stem rises from 

 2 ft. to 4 ft., somewhat zigzag, round and smooth ; leaves 

 upright, in two opposite rows, sword-shaped, ribbed, grass- 

 green. 



Curtis says : " Those who have examined the structure 

 of the flowers of this plant must allow it to be at once 

 beautiful, delicate, and singularly curious. The stigma, in 

 particular, deserves to be noticed by the student, being in 

 form and substance more like the petals than the part it 

 really is." 



