OR, THE HOME-CULTURE OF FRESH-WATER PLANTS. 
sand and rockwork. The plants may be allowed to 
come to maturity, if thought proper, as they flourish 
well in such confinement; hut as few will deem the 
Aquarium a fitting place to reap a harvest of Water¬ 
cress, they may he removed after the more pleasing 
early stages of their growth are passed, and a few fresh 
seeds sown so as to continue the desirable effect. 
The Flowering Rush is the monarch of its tribe; 
being crowned with a wreath of rosy flowers, which 
form the floral glory of our streams, and the chief 
ornament and desideratum of a river-side bouquet. 
I never, in the season (June and July), consider 
my nosegay of brook and river flowers complete 
without it. The plant is, however, somewhat large 
for Aquaria of the smaller sizes, as the leaves at¬ 
tain two or three feet in height, and the flower-stem 
rears itself high above them. Its growth, however, 
in confinement would he less vigorous, and as it does 
not occupy much space laterally, one grand towering 
ornament in the centre of the tank, when the situa¬ 
tion suits, might he desirable. The botanical name 
of the genus, Butomus , signifies “ hurtful to an ox,” 
and, in fact, the sharp points of the leaves often 
wound the mouths of cattle when they go to drink. 
The Water Germander and Water Milfoil 
are both manageable and desirable plants in an 
35 
