172 GOLDFISH VARIETIES AND 
For some years American aquarists depended upon plants gathered 
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 grow- 
ing in a climate without severe winters. This plan was completely suc- 
cessful. In 1910 we were fortunate enough to secure a single small plant 
from Italy which, by careful propagation and distribution among leading 
aquarists, has now multiplied itself into the 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 runners lie close to the bottom, not requiring to be pushed down 
like young Sagittaria plants. Contrary to the advice of some writers, we 
advise against deep planting. 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, 
Vallisneria makes the best of frames to show off the more brilliant beauties 
of the fishes. The sexes are separate in Vallisneria, fertilization 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 surface of the water. 
The male flower on another plant comes only a short distance from the 
crown. It is a case containing pollen balls. When 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. 
For one or two large plants to dominate the centre of the aquarium, 
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, accord- 
ing 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 only developing a 
few inches in length. 
ANACHARIS 
Known to American aquarists as Anacharis and in Europe as Elodea 
it is also popularly called Ditchmoss, Water Pest, Water Thyme, and Bab- 
ington’s Curse. Some of the rather uncomplimentary titles are due to a 
