THE ANGLER'S SOUVENIR. 



237 



it is of value, and its presence enlivens many a 

 rushy-margined stream. 



Watercress gatherers should beware not to 

 gather by mistake the marshwort, or fool's water- 

 cress. The general appearance of the plant is 

 similar to that of the watercress, from which, 

 however, its more pointed and serrated leaves, 



\f _jt 



its umbelliferous growth of small white flowers, 

 and the hollow stem, serve to distinguish it. It 

 ,' flowers during July and August. 



In July and August, the pale lilac flowers of 

 the water capitate-mint cluster in shallow water 

 and fringe the islets. The flowers grow in dense 

 whorls at the summit of the stem, which rises 

 from egg-shaped leaves. 



Of those weeds which grow in the water, the 

 anacharis has pushed itself to the chief place. 

 Plague upon it ! it is filling up all our rivers, 

 canals, and lakes, spoiling our fishing and spoil- 

 ing our tempers. We have rot a good word to 

 say for it. We deny it any kind of beauty, and 

 we wish it far away. That thick green scum 

 which so often clothes piles and woodwork in the 

 water with its dark, clinging mass, is the crowsilk. 

 It is said to be a good bait for roach, but we 

 have never had sufficient faith to try it. The 

 duck-weeds and pond-weeds are known to every 

 one by sight, but it is not every one who knows 

 how interesting and singular a close examination 

 discovers them to be. 



