THE VEGETABLE KINGDOM. 



386 



brane. It is only exceptionally that this is perforated so 

 as to look like an elegant net-work, as in the Hydrogeton 

 fenestratum, the name of which comes from this singular 

 peculiarity; it is also seen in the submerged leaves of some 

 aquatic plants, which in such an arrangement seem to re- 

 mind us of the branchife, the respiratory organs of fish. 



In some plants they are transformed into long capillary 

 filaments, which are seen gently undulating in the current 



209. Aerial or Pulmonaiy, and Aquatic or Brancliial Leaves— ifaiiMiiCuZws (Ujuatilis 



(Liuiiteus). 



of our rivers, like the tresses of a Naiad swept away be- 

 neath the limpid water. It is thus that the leaves of some 

 aquatic ranunculuses are seen forming movable green 

 carpets in the depths of our streams. 



If we transport ourselves to the agitated waves of the 

 Amazon, we find there leaves which display themselves on 

 the surface like immense plains of verdure ; these are the 

 growth of the Victoria regia. These leaves, almost cir- 



