180 AQUATIC PLANTS 



For some jxars American aquarists depended upon plants gath- 

 ered locally from rivers, creeks, mill races, etc. Owing to the long- 

 established habit of dying down to the tuft in winter, the plant had a 

 strong tendency to keep to the schedule, even when kept in a warm 

 aquarium over winter. In order to overcome this difficulty a search 

 was made for a stock growing in a climate without severe winters. 

 This plan was successful. AVe were fortunate enough to secure a 

 small stock from Italy which, by careful propagation and distribution 

 among leading aquarists, has now multiplied itself into many 

 thousands. There is every reason why it should establish itself in 

 further favor among those having large or fairly deep aquaria. It 

 grows and multiplies constantly and the rvmners lie close to the bot- 

 tom, not requiring to be pushed down like j^oung Sagittaria plants. 

 Contrary to the views of some writers, we advise against deep plant- 

 ing. It is important that the crown be not covered, but just at the 

 surface. The plant is not well suited to small aquaria, as it grows 

 from 18 to 36 inches, according to conditions. If closely confined it 

 is likely to get into a tangled mass whenever a fish has to be caught. 

 Allowed to rise to the surface and then extend horizontally on it for 

 some distance it produces a luxuriant picture. Rising from either end 

 of the aquarium and trained over the surface towards the centre, 

 A'allisneria makes the best of frames to show ofi: the more brilliant 

 colors of the fishes. The sexes are separate in Vallisneria, fertiliza- 

 tion taking place in a peculiar manner. The female flower, small, cup- 

 shaped and white, floats at the end of a long spiral scape on the sur- 

 face of the water. The male flower on another plant comes only a 

 short distance from the crown. It is a case containing pollen balls. 

 AVhen the case splits the pollen floats to the top, where, by the action 

 of wind, insects or other chance, fertilization is accomplished. Few 

 of these plants in the aquarium start from seed. In propagation by 

 runner only one sex appears along a line, males and females producing 

 only their own kind. The first plants imported were all females. No 

 males were seen for several years. These were likely propagated from 

 the seeds. 



For one or two large plants to dominate the centre of the aqua- 

 rium, nothing is better than Giant Vallisneria, now brought from the 

 Southern States by some of our leading dealers. Its leaves are as 

 wide as those of Giant Sagittaria, but much longer, varying from two 

 to four feet, according to conditions. This variety is also a constant 

 grower. Stocks of Vallisneria or Sagittaria suited to the aquarium 

 do not do well outdoors in direct sun, the old leaves dying and the 

 new ones onl_v developing a few inches in length. 



