132 



DOMESTIC BOTANY. 



yellow flowers singly on a long footstalk. It is a well known 

 plant in the hot-houses of this country, and has been knoAvn 

 to flourish in the open air when planted in the waste tepid 

 water from manufactories. When seen in quantity its 

 numerous golden flowers have a beautiful effect. 



The Water Plantain Family. 



(Alismace^.) 



The "Water plantain" {Alisma plantago) is common in 

 ponds and ditches in this country, as is also the "Water Ar- 

 row" [Sagittaria sagitti folia). It is not so common as the last. 

 Its leaves resemble a broad arrow, whence its name is derived. 



The Pond- Weed Family. 



(JUNCAGINACE^.) 



Is represented in this country by Triglochin palustre^ and 

 several species of Potamogeton, commonly known as " pond 

 weeds." Aponogeton distachyon is a native of the Cape of 

 Good Hope. It has oblong, floating leaves, and a forked 

 spike of pretty white flowers. It will thrive in the open air 

 in this country. Allied to this plant in general appearance 

 is the "Lattice Leaf" (Ouvirandra fenestralis\ a native of 

 shallow waters in the Island of Madagascar. Its leaves have 

 long footstalks, which grow from a rhizome, and vary from 

 12 to 18 inches in length, and fi'om 2 to 6 inches in breadth 

 They consist of nerves only, which form a skeleton leaf, the 

 openings being square like lattice-work. It produces a 

 forked spike of flowers similar to Aponogeton. This plant 

 was introduced in 1855, and was successfully cultivated a 

 Kew, producing leaves 3 feet in length. 



