44G SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



very larc^c, flattened at the to]), and excavated so ns to ])rcsent 

 a nnniber of liollows. Caqjcls distinct, and jjartially imbedded 

 in tlic large honey-combed tlialamns. Fruit of numerous 1 or 

 2-seeded, nut-like bodies. Albumen none; plumule very large. 



Distributicrn, Sfc. — These ])eautiful water ])lants arc natives 

 of stagnant or (juiet waters of tcmi)erate and tropical regions in 

 the northern hemisi)here ; most abundant in the East Indies. 

 There is but 1 genus Nchimbinm, which includes 3 si)ecies. 



Properties and Uses. — (/iiielly remarkable for their large 

 beautiful Howers and leaves. The nut-like fruits of all the 

 species arc edible, as well as their rhizomes, which contain starch 

 like those of the Nymphreas. The most interesting i)lant is the 



Nelumhium sprn'nsian. -The fruit of this plant is commonly considered to 

 have been the Kpyptian Hean of Pythaporas; and the Hower the Lotus so 

 often represented on the monuments of Egypt and India. The plant however 

 is no lonfjer found in Egypt, but it is common in India. The leaf and flower- 

 stalks contain a hirge nmnber of spiral vessels, which, when extracted, are 

 used for wicks, " which on great and solemn occasions are burnt in the lamps 

 of the Hindoos placed before the shrines of their gods." 



Natural Order 12. SAuuACENiACEiK. — The Sarracenia, 

 Water-ritcher, or Side-Saddle Flower Order. — General 

 Character. — 7Vcw?uVi/ herbs, growing in boggy places, with 

 radical hollow leaves, which arc jtitclier or trumpet-slia])ed 

 (Jigs. 308 and 309). Sepals 4—0, usually 5, ])ersistent, im- 

 bricated. Petals 5, hypogynous, sometimes absent. Stamens 

 numerous, hypogynous; anthers adnate, 2-cellcd. Carpels 3 — 

 5, united so as to form a compound 3 — r)-celled ovary; ovules 

 numerous ; placentas axilc ; stt/le simple and truncate, or ex- 

 panded at its top into a large shield-like angular process, with 

 one stigma beneath each of its angles. Capsvle 3— 5-celled, 

 dehiscing loculicidally. Seeds numerous, attached to large 

 axilc placentas ; albumen abundant. 



Diagnosis. — Perennial boggy idants,with pitcher or trumpet- 

 shai)cd leaves. Calyx permanent, imbricated. Carpels united 

 so as to form a compound ovary, and a 3 — 5-celled dehiscing 

 fruit, Avith lai'ge axilc i)laccntas; albumen abundant. 



Distribution, S^c. — There arc 3 genera, and 8 species, of 

 which are confined to the bogs of North America, 1, Heliam- 

 phora nutans, occurs in Guiana, and 1 is found in California. 

 Examples : — Sarracenia, lIeliami)hora, J)arlingtonia. 



Properties and Uses. — Unknown. The i)itehers arc lined 

 by hairv or glandular api)cndages, which appear to secrete 

 the peculiar fluid always found in them ; but this is by no 

 means ascertained. The use of this secretion is also imknown. 



Natural Order 13. I'ai'avkrack^c — The roi)i)y Order {Jigs. 

 853_8r)5). — General Chara cter. — //er/^or shrubs, usually 

 with a milky juice (white or coloured). Leaves alternate, ex- 

 stiindatc. Sepals usually 2 (/?r/. 853), or rarely 3, deciduous 

 ijig- 457). Petals 4 (>?>. 853"and 854), or rarely 6, or some 



