Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Water-Aloe

WATER-ALOE, or Fresh-water Soldier, Zostera Aloides, L. an indigenous perennial, growing in fen-ditches and slow-streams; flowering in the months of June and July.—This plant affords nourishment to a great variety of insects, some of which pursue it even to the bottom of the water.—It is eaten by hogs, but refused by goats.—From its ashes, an excellent alkaline salt may be obtained, by filtrating and evaporating the ley.—Böhmer observes, that such salt is not only well adapted to the curing of beef and other meat, but also forms a valuable ingredient in the manufacture of glass; nay, that it is occasionally used in England as a substitute for pot-ash, in the process of making soap.