1S4 AQUATIC PLANTS 



rium, where it will not be nibbled at by large fishes, it will prosper 

 whether planted or not, particularly if not kept too warm. Anacharis 

 is an excellent oxygenator and is a good plant for the beginner or 

 for those who want to add variety to their aquarium vegetation. 

 Allowed to grow into a mass it forms perfect hiding places for young 

 fishes, as it does not grow so close but that they may move about in' 

 it. While Anacharis and other plants of this general type are usually 

 planted in bunches, it is really better to make a slight separation of the 

 individual stems. As the plant grows yellow at the roots it should 

 be lifted out, pinching oft the yellow and replanting the fresh green 

 portion. To be had of dealers generally. 



MYRIOPHYLLUM 



Here we have another plant which at first looks well in the aqua- 

 rium, but which deteriorates. It has, however, a strong redeeming 

 feature, the very finely divided hair-like leaves being ideal for receiv- 

 ing the spawn of goldfishes. For this purpose it has grown more and 

 more into favor. It is used either in the bunches as they are sold, or 

 made into a spawning-ring as shown on page 56. As a spawn-receiv- 

 ing plant it has one advantage over Water Hyacinth in that the indi- 

 vidual pieces may be si)read out so as to give all the eggs a similar 

 amount of sun, whereas with Hyacinth one side is usually much more 

 protected than the other, making the eggs hatch at dift'erent times. 

 Before using IMyriophyllum to spawn on it should be well washed 

 off by moving it about in clear water, being careful to remove all 

 insects, snails and snail eggs. AMien hatching is finished the plant 

 might as well be thrown away. 



There are a number of generally distributed species throughout 

 America, all having the same general characteristics, but some are bet- 

 ter than others as "spawning grass" on account of closer and longer 

 leaves. They are all popularly known as Water Milfoil. 



jMyriophyllnm vcrtkillatum. This is the best American species and 

 is found in both shallow and deep ponds throughout the United States 

 and Lower Canada. Its leaves are dense and crowded, making an 

 excellent spawning plant, il/. nietschci is a cultivated variety of the 

 same, the leafy filaments developing from Ij^ to 3 inches in length. 



l\IyriophyUum proscrpinacoidcs or Parrot's Feather is a partially sub- 

 merged form which should be allowed to creep on the surface of the 

 water, where its blue-green, feathery leaves display a charm exclu- 

 sively their own. Does well in the greenhouse or established on the 

 edges of partially shaded lakes, where it becomes very robust and 

 looks strikingly beautiful. The roots are not winter-killed. 



