kymph^gaceje. ■ 30 



N. LU'teUM. W. Cyamas Nelumbo. L. 



Leaves peltate, orbicular, entire. A magnificent flowering plant, peculiar 

 to the nsuddy lakes and stagnant waters of the South and West, bnt is occa- 

 sionly met with in Ct. and N. Y. The rhizomacreeps in the mud at the bottom, 

 in depths of water from 2 or 3 to 10 feet. From this arise the simple scapes 

 and petioles, to the surface. I^eaves very large, smooth and verdant, round- 

 ish, the petiole inserted one side of the centre. They sometimes cover the 

 entire surface in large patches. The flowers bear a general resemblance to 

 the pond lily, but are several times larger, and want its fragrance. The petals 

 are broad and concave, of a brilliant white, becoming yellow towards the centre. 

 The nuts imbedded in the torus are about the size of acorns, and are roasted 

 and eaten as nuts by the Indians, or dried and pulverized into a bread meal. 



ii'ater Clunquupin. 



ORDER X. NYMPH J!:ACE^. TU, Water Uhj Tdbe. 



Cal. — f Sepals and petals numerous, imbricated, g:ra(lnally passiiis into each other. S-^v 



Cor. — I persistent. Pet. inserted upon ihe diisk -which .surrounds the pistil. 



Sta. — Numerou.s, in several rows upon the disk. Fil. pelaloid. Antk. adnate, intror.se. 



Ova. — Many-celled, many-seeded, surrounded by a fleshy disk. 



Sds. — AUaehed io the spongy placenta;, and enveloped by a gelatinous aril. 



A small order of aquatic plants, inhabiting the northern hemisphere- The general aspect 

 of these plants is that of an endogen- but they have two foliaceous cotyledons. — The stems 

 of the >.'ympha?ace.'e contain a powerful astringent principle, which is removed by repeated 

 washnig in water, after which they are tasteless, and may be used for food. 



Two of the genera are tbuiul in the Northern States; Nijmphfea, winch has flowers of 

 a white or rose color, and Nvphnr, with yellow flowers. 



1. NYMPPK^'A. 

 Calyx of 4 or 5 sepals ; corolla of numerotts petals inserted 

 on tile disk; stamens giadually transformed into petals; stig, 

 suriounded with rays; pericarp many-celled, many-seeded. 



The Greek JS'ijviph or Naiad of the waters. Beatitiful aqtratic plants. 



N. odora'ta. 



Leaves orbicular, cordate, entire, tlie lohes arnminate and veins projninent 

 beneath ; calyx equaling the petals, 4-leaved. The White Water Lily is truly 

 one of the most lovely of flowers, possessinor beaoty, delicacy and fragrance 

 in the highest degree. It grows onl^' in ponds and quiet streams, wheie the 

 water is of sufficient depth to protect the plant from the frosts of winter. The 

 rhizoma is several inches in diameter, extending in its muddy bed beneath the 

 water, to a great length, and seniHng up leaves and flowers to the surface. The 

 leaves are nearlv round, entire, of a fine glossy green, cleft at the base to the 

 petiole, and floating on the surface of the water. The flowers consist of four 

 sepals, white within, numerous, lance-shaped petals of tlie most delicate white- 

 ness, often tinged externally with red, and a great number of yellow stamens 

 beautifully carved. The filaments are gradually dilated from the inner to the 

 outer series, so as to pass insensibh- into petals. Flowers in July, sometimes 

 in such profusion as to mantle t!ie surface of the water, and perfume the air 

 with exquisitt! fragrance. Per. While Wata- Lily. 



2. NUPHAR. 



Calyx 5 — 6 sepaled ; corolla of numerous minute petals^ 



inserted with the truncated stamens ou the torus; stigma 



