138 . | NYMPHEA ODORATA, 
inwardly. The stigma has from twelve to twenty 
four rays, very much resembling abortive anthers, 
at first incurved, afterwards. spreading. At the 
centre is a solid hemispherical protuberance, 
usually, called a nectary, but which appears to me 
more like the true stigma. 
The roots of this plant are among the strong- 
est. astringents, and we have scarcely any natiye 
vegetable which affords more decided evidence 
of this property. When. fresh, if chewed in the 
mouth, they are _extremely styptic and bitter. 
Their decoction instantly strikes a jet. black colour 
with sulphate of iron, and. yields. a dense, white 
precipitate to.a solution of gelatin. With alcohol 
it deposites a slight floceulent substance resem- 
bling fecula. Tannin and gallie acid in large 
quantities are to be considered its most character- 
istic ingredients. ie | 
The flowers. hase, a splints ocr, Santis 
sucpedsed ' by : any perfume which the summer 
produces, _ This_ fragrance is. perfect only when 
the flowers are fresh, and, as they droop, becomes 
contaminated, with the common smell of aquatic 
plants. It is peculiar. in its. character, and 
resembles that of no other plant with which I am 
acquainted. I haye several times attempted to 
separate this perfume by distillation both with 
