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



like form assumed by the leaves, in the position 

 they invariably take on the surface of the water, 

 forming a number of very symmetrical asteriods, 

 has given the plant its popular name a name which 

 might be further confirmed in its propriety, if need 

 were, by an examination under the microscope, 

 in which position a number of minute rosette- 

 shaped excrescences will be discerned on the leaves, 

 occupying, apparently, the position and functions 

 of the hairs of other plants. It is so subject to 

 vary in its appearance that botanists have been 

 much inclined to subdivide the species. 



The Hornwort is always introduced into lists of 

 plants for the Aquarium, and is, perhaps, some- 

 what interesting on account of the horny excre- 

 scences of its leaves, from which its botanical name 

 Ceratophyllum, from the Greek ceras, or rather 

 keras (/ce/oa9), a horn, and phillon (<^x\oi/) a leaf. 

 The plant has, however, little beauty, and might 

 with advantage, as I think, make way for others. 



The tribe of Duckweeds, however, though 

 scarcely more ornamental than the Hornwort, have 

 other advantages that compensate for their want 

 of beauty. The plants of this family are said to 

 derive their botanical name jLemna, from lepis, a 

 scale, on account of the close scale-like manner with 



