[Piare 98.] 
THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE'S WATER LILY. 
(NYMPHAEA DEVONIENSIS.) 
RU اك‎ 
A very brilliant Hysrm Aquatic, with Crimson Flowers. 
Nymphza Devoniensis : Paxton, in Gardener’s Chronicle, July 10, 1852 ; Hooker, in Botanical Magazine, t. 4665. 
3 HY is it that aquatic plants are seldom or never brought under the influence of hybridism ? 
They are objects of great beauty, are and always must be much in request, and appear to be 
Just as submissive to man as other plants. Their constitutions may certainly be affected by crossing, 
quite as much as a Rhododendron. Yet, while the tender crimson species of Indian Rhododendron 
are brought to act upon the hardy pale faces of the United States, the delicate white Water Lily of our 
rivers is left to wild nature in the presence of the most glowing tints possessed by her tropical 
kindred. 
“Tt may be said that there are physical difficulties in the way of crossing Water Lilies. We 
grant it. The yellow Nuphars are not likely to breed with the white and blue and crimson 
Nympheeas, and perhaps Victoria may refuse all alliance with either. But then it is the same every- 
Where; a Currant will not breed with a Gooseberry, nor an Apple with a Pear. Nevertheless, 
. Gooseberries find kindred blood among Gooseberries, and Currants among Currants: and why may 
it not also happen to the N ympheas themselves? This sort of crossing is certainly possible. It 
has been done. 
“Some years since mules were obtained in the Horticultural Garden between the tender blue 
Nymphzea of the Cape of Good Hope and the hardy white one of England. But owing to neglect 
they were allowed to perish, and that experiment came to nothing. 
“At this moment there is actually flowering at Chatsworth a mule produced by crossing 
Nymphea rubra with N. Lotus. 
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