306 ENDOGENOUS PLANTS 



verticils generally numerous, giving the plant the appearance of an aquatic moss. 

 fertile flcnoers emerging, the perianth flesh-colored with a leaden tinge; tube % 

 an inch to near an inch long, very slender and thread-like. 

 Hob. Sluggish rivulets : frequent. Fl. July. Fr. 



Obs. I have not yet had occasion to observe the staminate flowers. 

 Doctor GRAY says, they "break off, as in Vallisneria, and float on 

 the surface, where they expand and shed their pollen to fertilize the 

 stigmas, which are raised to the surface by the excessively pro- 

 longed calyx-tube." 



415. VAL,MStfE v RIA, Micheli. 



[Dedicated to Antonio Vallimeri ; an Italian Botanist.] 



Flowers strictly dioicous. STAM. FL. numerous, crowded on a 

 conical receptacle, and included in a 3-valved spathe, which is on a 

 very short scape. Perianth 3-parted. Stamens mostly 3, alternating 

 with the perianth-lobes. PISTILLATE FL. solitary, in a tubular bifid 

 spathe, which is on a very long slender flexuose scape. Perianth- 

 tube not extended beyond the ovary ; border 3-lobed, with 3 small 

 linear petals (or staminodia?) alternating with the oval lobes. Ovary 

 1-celled; stigmas 3, large, 2-lobed; ovules numerous on 3 parietal 

 placentae. Fruit elongated, cylindrical, fleshy. Stemless perennials ; 

 leaves radical, dark-green, long, linear and grass-like. 



1, V. spir&lis, L. Leaves obtuse, thin and ribbon-like, obscure- 

 ly serrulate, somewhat nerved and netted veined. 

 SPIRAL VALLISNERIA. Eel-grass. Tape-grass. Channel-grass. 



Leaves 9 to 18 inches or 2 feet in length, and % to near % an inch wide, obscurely 

 3-nerved, striate, smooth. Pistillate flowers on interfoliaceous scape-like peduncles 

 9 to 18 inches, or more, in length (varying with the depth of water), a little 

 thickened at summit, floating, with the flower at or near the surface. Spatfie about 

 ?/ an inch long, membranaceous, embracing the ovary. Perianth whitish, with 

 tinges of purple. Ovary about % of an inch long, sublinear, somewhat compressed, 

 Rncipital, with keel-like margins. 

 Hob. Slow-flowing streams ; Brandy wine : frequent. Fl. Aug. Fr. 



Obs. I have never met with the staminate plant. Dr. GRAY says, 

 "the staminate clusters being confined to the bottom of the water 

 "by the shortness of the scape, the flower-buds themselves spontane- 

 ously break away from their short pedicels and float on the surface, 

 where they expand and shed their pollen around the fertile flowers, 

 which are raised to the surface at this time." The fertile scapes 

 then "coil spirally and draw the ovary under water to ripen." 

 WILSON, in his Ornithology, says the root is a favorite food of the 

 Canvass-back Duck, to which the peculiarly delicate flavor of the 

 flesh of that bird has been ascribed. The bunches of long dark- 

 green leaves, which are usually procumbently floating, afford a 

 hiding-place for Eels, whence one of its common names. In refer- 

 ence to this plant, Dr. DARWIN indulges in the following imagina- 

 tive strains : 



" As dash the waves on India's breezy strand, 



Her flush'd cheek press'd upon her lily hand, 



VALUSNER sits, upturns her tearful eyes, 



Calls her lost lover, and upbraids the skies ; 



Tor him she breathes the silent sigh, forlorn, 



Each setting day ; for him each rising morn : 



