VALLISNERIA. 



75 



the protoplasmic granules under the microscope, like 

 the blood corpuscles in the web of a frog's foot. This 

 plant roots freely in a little sandy earth or mud. The 



Fig. 28. 



Vallisneria spiralis. 



male and female flowers are borne separately, the 

 latter having the long spiral stalks which have given 

 to the plant its specific name. These float on the 

 surface of the water ; whilst the male flowers are 

 borne on short stalks at the base of the plant. They 

 are detached thence just before opening, and rise to 

 the surface to fertilise the female flowers with their 

 pollen. 



