BRITISH WILD FLOWERS. 
279 
GENUS II. 
THE ARROW-HEAD. (Sagittaria, Lin.) 
Lin. Syst. MONCECIA POLYANDRIA. 
Generic Character. —Monoecious. Male. Stamens about twenty-four. Female. Ovaries numerous, seated upon a globose receptacle. Nuts 
compressed, bordered, one-seeded. ( Lindley.) 
Description, &c.—There is only one British species in this genus. The name of Sagittaria is derived from 
Sagitta , an arrow, in allusion to the shape of the leaves. Its genus is placed in the Linnaean class Moncecia, 
because the male and female flowers are separate on the same plant ; and in the order of Polyandria, on account 
of the numerous stamens. The rliizoma, or underground stem, of these plants is very fleshy, and it is used as food 
in several countries. 
1.—THE COMMON ARROW-HEAD. (Sagittaria sagittifolia, Lin.) 
Engravings. —Eng. Bot., t. 84; 2nd ed., t. 1318; and our fig. 52, in PI. 53. 
Specific Character. —Leaves arrow-shaped, acute. (Smith.) 
Description, &c. —This very handsome plant is found abundantly on the borders of rivers and in shallow 
pools and ditches, in almost every part of England and Ireland. The plant is a perennial, with large white 
flowers, which appear in July and August. 
CHAPTER LXXII. 
THE FROG-BIT FAMILY. (Hydrocharidea:, R. Br.) 
Character of the Order. —Flowers hermaphrodite, or unisexual. 
Sepals three, herbaceous. Petals three, petaloid. Stamens definite or 
indefinite. Ovary single, inferior. Stigmas several. Ovules indefinite. 
Description, &c.— This order possesses only two 
aquatics. 
Fruit dry or succulent ; indehiscent, with ono or more cells. Seeds 
without albumen. Embryo undivided. Floating plants. Leaves with 
parallel veins. 
genera of British plants, both of which are perennial 
GENUS I. 
THE WATER SOLDIER. (Stratiotes, Lin.) 
Lin. Syst. POLYANDRIA HEXAGYNIA. 
Generic Character. —Spathe compressed, persistent, deeply parted | into the apex of the tube, or margin of the ovarium. Styles six, bifid, 
in two, keeled, one-flowered. Perianthium tubular. Sepals three, I Fruit fleshy, taper-pointed, six-cornered, six-celled. Seeds somewhat 
minute, green. Petals three, large. Stamens about twenty, inserted j angular, attached to the dissepiments. 
Description, &c. —There is only one species in this genus. The name of Stratiotes is from a Greek word, 
meaning an army, in allusion to the sharpness of the leaves, which often wound the fingers when touched. The 
Genus is placed in the Linnasan class Polyandria, from the number of the stamens; and in the order Hexagynia, 
from its six styles. 
1.—THE WATER ALOE, OR WATER SOLDIER. (Stratiotes aloides, Lin.) 
Engravings. —Eng. Bot., t. 379; 2nd ed., t. 771 ; and our fig. 3, in PI. 53. 
Specific Character. —Leaves sword-shaped, channelled, with a prominent rib, and sharp marginal prickles. (Lindl.) 
Description, &c. —This is a very singular plant, as it is often found floating in the water, without appearing 
