46 



THE FAMILY AQUARIUM. 



of the copiousness of nature's supply, not more than half 

 a dozen, perhaps, would be chosen by a sound discretion • 

 as fitted, in all respects, for a private Aquarium. For 

 Aquaria of large proportions, wherein the plants may be 

 of a corresponding size, as well as varied in character, 

 and quite numerous, we might enlarge our catalogue four 

 or fivefold ; but, in this treatise, which we design more 

 especially for the popular perusal, our object is to enable 

 the family taste to gratify itself in a neat, useful, innocent 

 and inexpensive manner, without running into idle display, 

 or indulging in scientific exhibitions. 



No. 1. The Water Lobelia is to be found on the bor- 

 ders of many a pond in northern New York, and through- 

 out New England. The Lobelia syphilitica also grows 

 in moist places, throughout the middle and western 

 States. It is the plant once so famous for its medicinal 

 qualities. It grows to a considerable height, and bears 

 large and beautiful flowers of a fine blue color. The L, 

 cardinalis is another of the moist tribe, with brilliant, 

 scarlet flowers, and though indigenous here, is much cul- 

 tivated in European gardens. The L. dortmanna is the 

 only one, however, of the ten species of lohelia which 

 inhabit the United States, that can be said to suit the 

 Aquarium. 



No. 2. Hornwort is a common plant in ponds and 

 other sluggish waters. It takes its name from the horny 

 excrescences of its leaves, and is not very pretty. 



No. 3. and 4. Broad-leafed and Narrow-leafed Star- 



