itself; or 

 bladders ; 



the solid stem 

 the roots distended into vegetable swimming- 



construction of myriads of air-chambers 



the case with the species now before 



some special 



of 



parts 



I 



this plant the 



as to 



midrib of the leaf is so enlarged and filled with air, 

 render it impossible for the leaf to sink, although loaded 



with thrice the weight it has to carry 



however 



midrib, but only the under-side of it, by which means any 

 upsetting of the leaf, or application of the breathing side 

 (which is the upper) to the surface of the water, by which 

 it would be smothered, is effectually prevented. 



The plant itself was originally found by Humboldt in 

 marshes to the west of Caraccas ; but it seems common 

 over all the east side of South America. We possess 

 specimens collected in British Guiana by Mr. Parker, for 

 which we are indebted to Dr. Hooker ; and the seeds, from 

 which the plants in the Gardens were raised, were sent to 

 the Botanic Garden, Liverpool, from Buenos Ayres. 



The flowers are very fugitive, 



ing, and withering up in the course 



opening 

 of the 



in the morn- 



day. 



The 



petals are extremely transparent and delicate ; but the chiet 

 beauty of the species resides in the rich purple fringe ot 

 barren stamens which surrounds the fertile ones. It flowers 

 all the year round in a tank in the stove. 



Our drawing was made in Mr. Lowe's Nursery in 



May 1833. 



J. L. 















