BOTANICAL, INDEX, 
40 
America. It is one of the queries of the plant trade, why these beautiful plants are 
not more extensively used by American plant growers; but we must unwillingly 
admit, that our people cannot, as a rule, be induced to endure the presence of any 
plant that is so very common, no matter how beautiful it may be, or how appropriate- 
ly it may till a certain space. For growing in an aquarium we find few plants bet- 
ter suited; and for a small lake or pond, it lias few equals. In their natural condi- 
tion they are found growing in soft, muddy or sandy ground; consequently, the 
conditions for a successful cultivation must be continued, viz : grown in soft, loamy 
soil, while if for pot or tub culture, a layer of coarse sand or small pebbles in the 
bottom of the tub, is always desirable for all kinds of aquatic plants; at the same 
time, a layer of clean, line sand, spread over the top of the soil, not only looks 
bright and cheerful, but very materially assists in purifying the water. Of course, 
the tropical species will not withstand any frost, but must be protected during Win- 
ter the same as all other tropical plants; but they can be allowed to remain in a neg- 
lected corner until they are required for the lawn or show-house. 
Unlike, many other species of plants, they survive the ill treatment and encroach- 
ment of civilization, and seem to flourish under its (to them) baneful influence. 
They were the last representatives, of the vegetable kingdom, to linger on the i>anks 
of the River Thames, in the heart of London, when that great metropolis banished 
dame nature from her presence, and substituted on her throne the modern conquer- 
ors — Civilization and Commerce. 
ZIZANIA AQUATIC A . Linn. 
In the picture of Water Lilies, on page 44. our artist has very tersely introduced, 
as a background, a view of the growing grain of Zizania Aquatica, Linn., the Wild 
Rice of North-western America, as it is often seen growing in the lakes, rivers and 
swamps; and which is in every way a lit companion for the Sagittatia, for many rea- 
sons. First, it is one of the most important native grains in the Northern portion 
of America, rivaling the Sayittaria in its economic value, furnishing a very impor- 
tant portion of the food of the North American Indians; while immense flocks of 
wild swan, geese ducks &c., depend almost entirely upon it for sustenance during 
a large portion of the year. Again, the Zizania, like the Sayittaria, is momecious 
and contains both sexes on the same stock, the upper ones being male and the lower 
ones female. The picture represents the panicles of Zizania, as seen in Fall, with 
no grain adhering to the lower branches, but still retaining the semblance of grain 
on the upper ones. The upper portion, being male flowers, produce no grain, and 
the barren, pistillate, chaff-like flowers remain attached to the stock for a long time, 
often a year, bur, the fruitful (staminate) flowers, (awns) after ripening the grain, 
drop off at the slightest touch and sink to the bottom of the water, where they re- 
main in nature’s store-house of food for aquatic birds. This may explain, perhaps, 
the cause of the, great abundance of game on our western lakes and rivers, at cer- 
tain seasons of the year. 
In the upper left hand cornflr of the same picture, (Page 44) we represent the va- 
rious parts of the grain and flower of the Zizania. Letter a represents a single 
grain bearing branch, in flower; b, a single, perfect staminate flower; c, a single, 
ripe grain, as often seen, and d represents an awn (beard or chaff) enclosing the 
grain. The awn is usually about one and one-half or two inches long, adhering 
very persistently to the grain. The grain is enclosed in a hard, horny skin, from 
