THE LADIES MAGAZINE OF GARDENING. 
149 
effects. Almost immediately on making the application, the water was 
literally black, and the plants have amply rewarded me for the salutary 
treat I have given them. 
Cambridge Terrace, March 4, 1841. 
Two of the handsomest aquatics I know are Aponogeton angusti/olia, 
and A. distachyon; they have both white flowers tinged with pink, and 
black anthers, which give them a very lively appearance. A . distachyon is 
much the larger plant of the two. They are both tolerably hardy, but 
require protection during winter. Pontederia cordata has arrow-shaped, 
erect leaves, and an upright spike of dark purple flowers. It is a native 
of North America, and is quite hardy in England. Butomus umbellatus , 
the flowering rush, with its Leads of pink flowers, and Acorus Calamus , 
the sweet-scented -water-reed, are tall, showy plants, as is Cyperus longus , 
which last bears some resemblance to the Papyrus of the Nile. For 
smaller plants, may be mentioned the little Frog-bit, Hydrocharis morsus- 
rana , with its pure white flowers ; Hootonia palustris , the water violet, 
with its pretty pink flowers; Calla palustris , the water dragoon ; Caltha 
palustris , the marsh marigold; Nymphea alba , the common water-lily ; 
Stratiodes aloides , the fresh water soldier; Sagittaria sagittcefolia , the 
Chinese arrowhead, with its white and green flowers; Pinguicula lusi- 
tanica , Samolus mlerandi , Villarsia nymphoeoides , the yellow fringed 
buck-bean; Comarum palustre , and Nuphar advena. The beautiful 
little Polygonum amphibium , the rose-coloured water pepper, with its 
dark pink flowers, of which there is so much in the large piece of water 
opposite the palace in Kensington Gardens, is quite hardy; as is 
Menyanthes trifoliata , the common buck-bean. These are all common, 
but Thalia dealbata , a curious black and white plant, and Trapa natans , 
also curious, are more rare. 
For the plants not aquatics, but which will thrive from having their 
pots plunged in water, are Calla ethiopica , the tall scarlet Lobelias, and 
all the kinds of Mimulus. As a companion to the little musk plant, I 
may recommend the Myosotis palustris , the true forget-me-not, and 
Houstonia coerulea , a pretty little plant, with very pale, star-like flowers. 
The following bulbs will also grow and flower splendidly with their 
pots half plunged in water. Crinum capense , the white, striped, and 
purple Cape Crinums ; Amaryllis speciosa , sometimes called Hippeastrum 
purpureum , and sometimes Vallota purpurea , with dark crimson, lily-like 
flowers; Pancratium Mexicanum ; and Calostemmapurpurea, C. lutea , and 
C. alba. All these are half-hardy bulbs, and require protection during 
winter. 
