OR, THE HOME-CULTURE OF FRESH- WATER PLANTS. 



sand and rockwork. The plants may be allowed to 

 come to maturity, if thought proper, as they nourish 

 well in such confinement ; but as few will deem the 

 Aquarium a fitting place to reap a harvest of Water- 

 cress, they may be removed after the more pleasing 

 early stages of their growth are passed, and a few fresh 

 seeds sown so as to continue the desirable effect. 



The Flowering Rush is the monarch of its tribe ; 

 being crowned with a wreath of rosy flowers, which 

 form the floral glory of our streams, and the chief 

 ornament and desideratum of a river-side bouquet. 

 I never, in the season (June and July), consider 

 my nosegay of brook and river flowers complete 

 without it. The plant is, however, somewhat large 

 for Aquaria of the smaller sizes, as the leaves at- 

 tain two or three feet in height, and the flower-stem 

 rears itself high above them. Its growth, however, 

 in confinement would be less vigorous, and as it does 

 not occupy much space laterally, one grand towering 

 ornament in the centre of the tank, when the situa- 

 tion suits, might be desirable. The botanical name 

 of the genus, Butomus, signifies " hurtful to an ox," 

 and, in fact, the sharp points of the leaves often 

 wound the mouths of cattle when they go to drink. 



The "Water Germander and Water Milfoil 

 are both manageable and desirable plants in an 



