Aquarium Plants 93 



ing the hot summer months it will grow 

 well and develop its shell-shaped leaves of 

 a light, velvety green, in beautiful dense 

 rosettes. The leaves have strong parallel 

 ribs and are covered with short dense hairs. 

 Under favorable conditions the Pistia multi- 

 plies very rapidly through runners sent out 

 in every direction and ending in young, rap- 

 idly growing plants. While it will grow 

 well during the warm season, it is rather 

 difficult to hibernate, as it has to be potted 

 and placed in a warm room, or better still 

 in a greenhouse. 



Water-hyacinth (Eichomia crassipcs) is 

 well known in southern waters and is a very 

 beautiful plant indeed. The pointed, kidney- 

 shaped leaves are of a bright glossy green 

 and are borne by strong stems, which below 

 the leaves expand into a balloon-like swell- 

 ing. The roots form in dense bunches and 

 hang down into the water. In the aqua- 

 rium only strong plants and these only 

 under favorable conditions will develop the 



