62 //■//./;, OR XATIVE FLOWERS. 



narrow, fleshy petal-like yellow anthers. The pistil is without style, 

 the stigma forming a flat rayed top to the ovary, as in the Poppy 

 and many other plants. 



But if the White Water-Lily is beautiful, how much more so is the 

 lovely pink-flowered variety shown in our Plate, which was painted by 

 Mrs. Chamberlin from a specimen she collected at Lakefield and which 

 was of such an ex^iuisite shade of colour that it could be only compared 

 with the 



" Hues of the rich unfolding morn, 

 That ere the glorious sun be born 

 By some soft touch invisible, 



Around his path are taught to swell." — Keble. 



This is called N. odorata var. rosea and is found abundantly in 

 many of the small lakes in the northern counties of Ontario, 

 particularly in the Muskoka district. 



On the approach of night our lovely water-nymph gradually closes 

 her petals, and slowly retires to rest on her watery bed, to rise again 

 the following day, to court the warmth and light so necessary for the 

 perfection of the embryo seeds, and this continues till the fertilization 

 of the germ has been completed, when the petals shrink and wither, 

 and the seed-vessel sinks down to the bottom of the water, where the 

 seeds ripen in its secret chambers. Thus silently and mysteriously 

 does Nature perform her wonderful work, " sought out only by those 

 who have pleasure therein."* 



The roots of the Water-Lily contain a large quantity of fecula 

 (flour), which, after repeated washings, may be used for food ; they are 

 also made use of in medicine, being cooling and softening ; the fresh 

 leaves are used as good dressing for blisters. 



The Lotus of Egypt belongs to this family, and not only furnished 

 magnificient ornaments with which to crown the heads of their gods 

 and kings, but the seeds also serve as food to the people in times of 

 scarcity. The Sacred Lotus {Nelumbium speciosiuii) was an object itself 

 of religious veneration to the ancient Egyptians. 



The Chinese, in some places of that over-populated country, grow 

 Water-Lilies upon their lakes for the sake of the nourishment yielded 

 by the roots and seeds. 



" l>otus-eaters," says Dr. Lee, " not only abound in Egypt, but all 

 over the East." " The large fleshy roots of the Neluuibi 11711 hi ten in, 



• III tliat singular jilaiit, the Kel or Tapegrass VaUisnerUi s,yimlis (L.) a plant indigenous to 

 our slow-flowiii}; waters, the elastic stem wliic-li bears the i>istillate flowers uncoils to reaeh the 

 surfai-c of the water; about the same time tlie iioUen-bearing flowers, wliicli arc imiduccl at the 

 iMittom of the water on very short scapes, braak away from the eonliniiig bonds that hold them, 

 and risi! to the surface, "where they expand and scatter their fertilizing du.st .ipon the fruit- 

 bearing flowers which float around th«im ; these, after a while, coil up again and draw the pod- 

 like ovary Jown to the bottom, there to ripen and perfect the fruit. 



