82 Fresh Water Aquarium 



conditions grows rapidly and blooms late in 

 summer or early in fall, the blossoms grow- 

 ing above the water surface. It is an an- 

 nual and, for its propagation, forms winter- 

 buds, from the size of a peppercorn to that 

 of a small hazel-nut. After maturing, these 

 buds should be collected and hibernated in 

 water in a cool, but not cold room. In early 

 spring they should be placed in the sunny 

 window of a warmer room, when the young 

 plants will soon begin to grow. It is then 

 time to transfer them to the aquarium itself. 

 This plant is especially interesting in be- 

 ing one of the so-called carnivorous plants. 

 The bladders, which keep the plant floating, 

 are of a peculiar construction, having a kind 

 of trapdoor, opening under pressure from 

 the outside toward the inside, thereby allow- 

 ing small animals, such as tiny fish, Daph- 

 nias, Cyclops, etc., to enter, but making the 

 exit impossible, as pressure from the inside 

 only serves to close the little door the firmer. 

 Once within, the little prisoners perish and 



