VALL1SNER1A. 
DIOECIA DTANDRIA. 
GENERIC CHARACTER. 
Male. Calyx a bipartite sheath. 
Corolla of one petal divided into three parts. 
Female. Calyx of three parts, divisions oval. 
Corolla of three linear petals. 
Pericarp cylindrical; containing many seeds. 
SPECIFIC CHARACTER. 
Vallisneria spiralis. Linn. Spec. Plant, p. 1441. ed. tert. 
V. palustris, algae folio ; foliis in sum- 
mitate denticulatis ; flore purpuras- 
cente. Mich. Gen. 12. pi. 10. f. 1. 
Leaves flag-shaped, toothed at their 
summits; flowers purple. 
Vallisneria. . . . Flor. Lapponica, 871. Hort.Cltf.A54. 
This plant has justly excited the attention of na- 
turalists for the singularity of its mechanism. It is 
a native of Italy, where it flourishes in aquatic situ- 
ations, and is said also to inhabit great part of Asia. 
The plant has nothing attractive in its appearance, 
nor any thing to recommend it to the eye of the 
