FEESH-WATEE AQUAEIA. 



The Water Violet (Hottonia palustris) (Fig. 58) is named after 

 Professor Hotton, of Leyden. In some respects it is like the 

 Water Crowfoot, though it certainly has the advantage of the 

 comparison. It is by no means a common plant, but it is found 

 plentifully enough in the ponds and ditches of Norfolk and 

 Suffolk. Dealers in aquai-ium necessaries are generally able to 

 supply this weed during the season. It will grow well in a tank, 

 but it should not be tied in a bunch and sunk by a stone to 

 the bottom, according to a common practice; it ought to be 

 planted separately, a piece of the creeping root being attached. 

 H. palustris has feathery leaves, which grow in tufts under 

 the water, only the upper part of the flower-stalk rising a few 



inches above the surface. The 

 five-petalled flowers are rather 

 large, and vary in colour from 

 pink and yellow to almost white. 

 Amphibious Persicaria (Poly- 

 gonum amphibivm) is a hand- 

 some plant, and will grow readily 

 in an aquarium. It is not uncom- 

 mon, and is found either in still 

 water or upon marshy land; but 

 when living in the former it 

 assumes quite a different shape to 

 that which it has when growing 

 upon the latter ; indeed, the dif- 

 ference is so great that the 

 varieties might be taken for two 

 distinct species. In the one case, the leaves are broad and 

 smooth, and float at the end of long stalks ; in the other, the stem 

 is short and the leaves are narrow and rough. The flowers are 

 rose-coloured. A portion of this plant having a piece of the 

 creeping stem attached (which stem ought to be sending out 

 roots at a joint or two) should be set in the sand at the bottom 

 of the aquarium. 



The Flowering Bush (Butomus umbellatus) (Fig. 59) is an 

 exceedingly pretty water-plant. It has narrow, three-cornered 

 leaves, which spring from the root, and its beautiftd pink or 



Fig. 59. Flowering Rush 

 (Butomus umbellatus) 



