272 HYDEOCHAEIDACE^!. 



The first tribe in this order is the FEOGBIT order, in which 

 there are two families the Frogbits and the Water Soldiers. 

 Both families have the stamens and pistils on different plants ; 

 three sepals, and three petals. 



The common Frogbit (Hydrocharis morsus-rana, Plate XVL, 

 jig. 1), the one British member of the family, Fanny found in 

 ditches about Kenmoor, near Clevedon. The delicate white 

 flowers, which are very showy, grow three or four together, a 

 transparent sheath enclosing the little stems at their junction 

 with the main one. The leaves are pale, smooth, thick, and 

 heart-shaped. 



The only time I have seen the "Water Soldier was in a pond 

 near Goostrey, in Cheshire. We had planned going to that 

 pond for some days, but there being a bull in the field where it 

 was, we waited till we could get the escort of a gentleman. On 

 reaching the pond our friend insisted on getting the plant for 

 us, and while taking it from the water he cut his hand deeply 

 with the sharp leaves ; he said afterwards that he had no idea 

 that botanising was so dangerous a pursuit. Dangerous is 

 certainly not too strong a word to apply to the leaves of the 

 Water Soldier ; they are like knives for sharpness, and the 

 points along the edges make them still more cruel. The flowers 

 grow two or three in a cluster, like the Frogbit, and the petals 

 are large and white ; the flower-stems have a sheath where 

 they join the principal one. The Water Soldier (Stratiotes 

 aloides, Plate XVL,fig. 2), grows in Duddingston Loch, near 

 Edinburgh, and in Clunie Loch, Perthshire. There is a great 

 difference between the two families in one respect, for the 

 Frogbit has only three stamens, and the Water Soldier above 

 twelve. The leaves of the latter plant are sword- shaped, and 

 dark green ; the flowers are half hidden among them. 



The Valisnera family belongs to this group, but it has no 

 British representative. 



Two members of the family are interesting : the Spiral 

 Valisneria, which has a coiled or spiral stalk, by which it can 



