THALA3IIFL0R^. 445 



having inserted npon it the petals and stamens (fig. 850). 

 Carpels numerous, united so as to form a compound pistil {fig. 

 851); oi?ar^ many-celled (y?^. 768); s/?//es absent ; 5%?Ha« radi- 

 ating on the top {fig. 851), and alternate with the dissepiments. 

 Fruit indehiscent, many- celled. Seeds numerous, attached all 

 over the spongy dissepiments; embryo minute, enclosed in a 

 vitellus, and on the outside of farinaceous albumen {fig. 852). 



Diagnosis. — Aquatic herbs with floating leaves. Thalamus 

 large, and forming a disk-like expansion more or less surround- 

 ing the ovary. Carpels united so as to form a compound 

 many-celled pistil; stigmas radiating on the top, and alternate 

 with the dissepiments; ovules numerous, attached all over the 

 dissepiments. Embryo minute, on the outside of farinaceous 

 albumen, enclosed in a vitellus. 



Distribution, ^c. — The plants of this order are chiefly found 

 in quiet Avaters, throughout the whole of the northern hemisphere; 

 they are, generally speaking, rare in the soutliern hemisphere. 

 Examples: — Euryale, Victoria, Nymphaea, Nuphar, Barclaya. 

 There are 5 genera, and 50 species. 



Properties and Uses. — The plants of this order have bitter 

 and astringent properties. They have been also generally con- 

 sidered to be sedative and narcotic ; but there does not appear 

 to be any foundation for such an opinion. Many contain a 

 large quantity of starch both in their rhizomes and seeds, hence, 

 such parts constitute a favourite food in some countries. The 

 plants are chiefly remarkable for their large showy flowers, and 

 for the gradual transition Avhich their parts exhibit from the 

 sepals to the petals and stamens. The most remarkable plant 

 of the order is the 



Victoria regia. — This is a native of Equatorial America, and has been in- 

 troduced recently into this country, where it has excited much interest, both 

 from the beauty and size of its flowers, and from its enormous singularly con- 

 structed leaves. The flowers when fully expanded are more than a foot in 

 diameter; and the leaves, which are turned up at their edges, vary from four to 

 eight feet in diameter. The plant is commonly known in this country as tlie 

 Victoria V/ater-lily, and in South America unaer the name of Water-maize, as 

 the seeds are there used for food, for which purpose they are commonly roasted 

 with Maize or Indian Corn. 



Natural Order 1 1 . Nelumbtace^. — The Water-Bean Order. 

 — General Character. — Aquatic he)-bs. Leaves peltate, rising 

 above the water. Flowers large and showy. Sepals 4 or 5. 

 Petals numerous, in several whorls. Stamens numerous, in se- 

 veral Avhorls; filaments petaloid. Thalamus very large, flattened 

 at the top, and excavated so as to present a number of hollows, 

 each of which contains a single carpel {fig. 640). Fruit con- 

 sisting of the ripened nut-like carpels, which are half buried in 

 the cavities of the thalamus. Seeds soHtary, or rarely 2 ; with- 

 out albumen ; embryo large, enclosed in a membrane* with two 

 fleshy cotyledons, and a much developed plumule. 



Diagnosis. — Aquatic herbs with peltate leaves. Thalamus 



