320 THE FLORIST. 



had only four leaves, the largest of which was b\ inches across or 

 16J in circumference ; and a fifth leaf opened in the course of two 

 clays afterwards. The box which contained it was 13^ inches square 

 and about 8 inches deep, which was ample for the purpose. It was 

 planted out at Chatsworth in a tank originally 12 feet square by 3 

 feet deep, now increased to 19 feet long and 18 feet 8 inches wide, 

 the addition being considerably shallower. In the centre, about 

 five one-horse cart-loads of turfy loam were thrown in on a founda- 

 tion of brick-rubbish, and in this the aquatic was planted out, with- 

 out pot or basket. Around the neck of the plant a quantity of 

 silver-sand was placed. The water in this tank is warmed by pipes; 

 but there is another tank beside it heated direct from the boiler, 

 the water from which passes out of a cock, and falls upon and 

 turns a small wheel, the revolutions of which keep the body of water 

 in the first tank in circulation, the excess finding its way out at a 

 waste-pipe. The temperature of the water in which the plant is 

 growing is kept at about 85°, and that of the atmosphere at 75°. 

 Twice in the twenty-four hours a considerable portion of the water is 

 run off", and its place supplied with fresh. I fir^t saw it last evening, 

 Nov. 9th : it has twelve leaves fully grown, the largest 4 feet 10 

 inches in diameter, and the others not much less ; with more in 

 different stages of growth. The length of the leaf-stalks was 11 feet. 

 The habit of the foliage is not the least interesting part of this 

 beautiful plant. The leaf-bud comes up above the water quite closed, 

 and covered with spines ; it then expands in a beautifully cupped 

 form, with conspicuous ribs and veins ; in two or three days it falls 

 flat on the surface of the water, then just droops under it, and again 

 rises, and the outer edge gracefully curving upwards, shews the under 

 surface, which is of a beautiful red colour. The flower w r as just 

 opening, and was fully expanded at nine o'clock in the evening; the 

 outer petals w T ere then white, and lying on the surface of the water ; 

 the absolute centre of a deep red, surrounded by petals of a rose- 

 colour ; size of flower about 12 inches in diameter. Beside it was 

 a bud, just above the surface of the water; and beneath were seve- 

 ral more in different stages of forwardness. This morning the pure 

 whiteness of the outer petals has considerably faded, the centre has 

 quite closed up, and the entire flower has assumed a cupped form 

 and fallen on its side, preparatory, as is supposed, to its going en- 

 tirely under water to produce seed. It is expected to prove a very 

 free bloomer, which will compensate for the transient character of 

 its blossoms. I should not be surprised to hear that it produced 

 leaves, stalks, and flowers half as large again. 



HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



At a late meeting of this Society, the Dowager Duchess of Northum- 

 berland produced a new sw r eet-scented Verbena from Santa Martha. 

 It was a half-shrubby sort, with white flowers. Dr. Lindley stated 



