Order no. Hydrocharidece. 317 



1. HYDRILLA. 



* H. verticillata. Growing in large masses, leaves very 

 small, sessile, oblong, serrulate, 4 to 8 in a whorl, with a short 

 sheathing one at the base of each branch, and a short pair 

 above this, linear or oblong ; perianth segments very variable, 

 fruit smooth or warty. 



Common in tanks (D.). Still and slowly running waters through- 

 out India and Ceylon (H.). R. has "male calyx 4-toothed, corolla 

 4-petalled, female calyx 4-parted." 



2. LAGEROSIPHON. 



* L. Roxburghii (Neclimandra, R.D.). Stems filiform, leaves 

 alternate, linear acute, grass-like, stem clasping, male spathe 

 ovate enclosing many flowers, female tubular bifid at the apex, 

 fruit many-seeded. 



Common in tanks throughout India and Ceylon (If.). In both this 

 and the last (as well as the next) the male flowers separate from the 

 spadix and float away in search of the female flower. 



3. VALLISNERIA. 



V. spirdlis. Leaves slightly spathaceous, flowers minute, 

 males on short stalks, fruit long linear below the flower. 



N. Konkaa. In G. but not in D. Throughout India and Ceylon, 

 and otherwise very widely distributed (H.). The remarkable arrange- 

 ment by which the 'flowers of this plant are fertilized is described 

 and figured in many botanical works. The best description that I 

 have seen is Sir J. Lubbock's. " The female flower has a long spiral 

 stalk, which by uncoiling enables the flower to reach the top of the 

 water. The male flowers, which are small, numerous, and attached 

 lower down, separate from the plant, rise to the surface and fertilize 

 the female flower, around which they float. The spiral stalk of the 

 female flower then contracts, acd draws it down below the surface." 

 " In the soft heaven of a translucent pool," the long spiral stalk is a 

 beautiful object, and the minute male flowers floating on the surface 

 of the water look more like pollen. 



The plant is mentioned in ' Sakuntala ' under the name of saivala. 

 " The lotus with the saivala entwined." Sir M. Williams' trans- 

 lation. 



4. OTTELIA. 



O.alismoides (0. Indica, D.). Leaves and peduncles all from 

 the root, which is under water, floating leaves large oblong 



