394 THE RIVER-SIDE NATURALIST. 



in disguise. In the district where Dr. Brandes lives, he 

 has noticed that malaria and diarrhoea, which used to 

 appear annually in a sporadic or epidemic form, commenced 

 to decrease very soon after the American weed made its 

 appearance, and during the last four years have been alto- 

 gether wanting. Dr. Brandes is of opinion that the weed 

 nourishes itself to a great extent on decayed vegetable 

 matter, and where this is abundant it grows with great 

 rapidity. It thus destroys the germs of certain diseases. 

 As manure, the weed is said to be excellent. In some 

 waters it seems to have grown itself out, and is gradually 

 disappearing. If Dr. Brandes is correct, the probable 

 cause of its disappearance is that it has fulfilled its mis- 

 sion, purified the river, and died for lack of further im- 

 purities to feed on." 



Such are the principal plants found either in the water, 

 on the banks, or in the moist meadows and marshes. 



" Beautiful things ye are, where'er ye grow : 



The wild red rose, the speedwell's peeping eyes, 

 Our own bluebell, the daisy, that does rise 

 Wherever sunbeams fall or winds do blow ; 



And thousands more, of blessed forms and dyes : 

 I love ye all." 



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