FLOWERING OF THE VICTORIA REGIA. 



May 3. The fifth leaf appeared, which reached its maturity on the 6th; was nearly 



round, and measured 3s inch, in diameter. 



9. 6th leaf appeared, it was quite round, and measured at 



maturity, 3i " " 



16. 7th leaf appeared, M " " 



23.8th, do 4i '• " 



On the 24th the plant was transferred to the big tank in 

 the lily house, which was especially constructed for 

 its accommodation. It had five leaves on, the lar- 

 gest measured 4^ " " 



28. 9th leaf appeared J measured at maturity, 5 " •* 



30.10th do do do 6^ " " 



Junes, lllh do do do 9 



7. 12th do do do 9 " " 



10. 13th do do do 12^ " " 



13.14th do do do 14| 



16.15th do do do 18 



20. 16th do do do 2U 



25.17th do do do 29 



29. 18th do do do 3 feet 1 inch. 



July 3. 19th do do do 3 6 



9.20th do do do 3 10 



13.21st do do do 4 4 



18. 22d do do do 4 9i " 



22.23d do do do 5 2i " 



27. 24th. This leaf exhibited a beautiful salver edge, as have 



all its successors, 5 8i " 



31. 25th leaf appeared ; measured at maturity, 6 4 " 



Aug. 6. 26th do do do 6 4^ " 



10.27th do do do 6 6 



This leaf is six inches larger than any produced in England, of which we have 

 any account. 

 13. This morning we discovered, to our great delight, a flower bud rising a little in 

 advance of the 28th leaf, which was also approaching the surface. The latter 

 presented a dark object, whilst the former looked bright, though several inch- 

 es deeper in the water. 

 15. 28th leaf; not matured. 



21. Flower opened between five and six o'clock, P. M. Color, pure white; form, 



globular; very fragrant; odour strongly resembles highly cultivated Pine ap- 

 ples. On the subsequent day the flower remains in its primitive globular 

 form, (with the exception of slight variation,) until five or six o'clock in the 

 evening, at which time it undergoes a complete transformation. So novel 

 is the appearance of the transformed flower, that were we not conversant with 

 its nature to "metamorphose," we could not believe it possi6Ze to be produc- 

 ed from the same plant. The petals become reflexed, lie prostrate on the 

 water, and expose to view a disk, so beautiful in color and form, that I am 

 sorry I cannot find language to describe it adequately. In its form it resem- 

 bles a crown of some of the ancient kings of England; especially so when the 



