94 



PAXTON'S FLOWER GARDEN. 



"About three years since a root was given me the size of a shot, which I planted in a small pan 

 and sunk it in the pond ; it grew rapidly, and, in a few months, produced flowers ; and, unobserved 

 by me, seed also, from which have sprung up to the surface of the water hundreds of plants. The 

 spring which supplies the pond is peculiarly clear, always running, and, in the severest winter, rarely 

 freezes." 



The species is common at the Cape, where it bears the name of Water Uintjies. Mr. Bunbury 

 mentions it thus : — 



" The flowering tops of the Aponogeton distachyon, a pretty white-flowered floating plant, 

 frequent in pools of water in various parts of the colony, are sometimes used both as a pickle and as 

 a substitute for Asparagus." — Residence at the Cape, p. 208. 



In appearance this resembles a Pondweed {Votamogeton natans), except that it is of a clear green 

 colour without any tinge of brown. Its bulb (or conn) is described as being as large as a hen's egg. 

 The leaves float on the surface of the water, are oblong, about 18 inches long when full grown, flat, 

 and have three distinct veins running parallel with the main rib. When young their sides are rolled 

 inwards. The flowers are placed on a forked inflorescence, originally included within a taper-pointed 

 calyptrate spathe (cap), which is forced off as they advance in size. When fully formed each fork of 

 the inflorescence is very pale green, and is bordered by two rows of large ovate-oblong obtuse ivory 

 white bracts, in the axils of which stand the minute flowers. The latter are bisexual, and destitute of 

 both calyx and corolla. Twelve hypogynous free stamens, with dark purple anthers, surround from 

 four to six distinct carpels, each of which has a short curved style, a simple minute stigma, and six 

 erect anatropal ovules. After flowering the bracts and inflorescence grow rapidly, acquire a deep 

 green colour, and soon resemble tufts of leaves, among which lie in abundance large membranous 

 green indehiscent beaked carpels, containing about four seeds each, and readily tearing at the sides. 

 The seeds are exalbuminous, oblong, pale brown. The embryo is an oblong fleshy body, slit on one 

 side, and in all respects is the same as in Triglochin ; through the slit the plumule is pushed, while the 

 seeds are still in their seed-vessels ; germination beginning, apparently, as soon as the seeds come into 

 contact with moisture. 



These details sufficiently show that the natural affinity of the genus is with Potamogeton, 

 Triglochin, &c, and by no means with the dicotyledonous Saururads, as Eichard and others have 

 imagined. 



