NYMPH ZACEA. 79 
Rhizome creeping in the mud, producing from the apex pedun- 
cles and leaves of two sorts, viz.—submerged leaves on rather short 
stalks, thin and membranous, translucent, waved; and floating leaves, 
sub-coriaceous in texture, much resembling those of Nympheea alba, 
but longer in proportion to their breadth, and with a greater number 
of veins arising from the mid-rib, so that the leaf is less palmately 
veined than in that species; lobes about one-third of the whole 
length of the leaf, approximate; submerged leaves similar in form. 
Petioles bluntly trigonous. Flowers rising above the water, cup- 
shaped, ellipsoidal. Sepals very large, concave, oval, externally 
greenish, bright yellow within. Petals 18 to 20, about $ inch long, 
obovate, wedge-shaped, bright yellow, thick in texture, shining 
exteriorly, where there is a nectariferous pore near the top, with 
prominent lines on the inside. Stamens very numerous, with 
broadly strap-shaped filaments: anther cells on the inner surface 
of the filament, with parallel lobes much longer than broad. 
Stigmatic disk much wider than the top of the ovary, with from 
10 to 20 stigmatic rays not reaching to the edge of the disk. Fruit 
sub-globose or ovoid, attenuate at the summit, and terminated by 
the large stigmatic disk, which appears to be formed by the cohesion 
of the styles, which are free in Nymphea. Plant nearly glabrous. 
Floating leaves shining above, dull green beneath. Flowers with a 
fragrant odour. 
Yellow Water-Lily, Water-Can, Brandy- Bottle. 
French, Vuphar Jaune. German, Die Grelbe Teichrose. 
The generic name is from Vaufar or Nyloufar, the Arabic name of Nymphea. It is 
the vovgap of Dioscorides. This bright-coloured Lily is almost as attractive in its 
golden radiance as its more modestly attired and charming sister. ‘In golden armour 
glorious to behold,” it forms a beautiful object on the surface of a lake or river. The 
blossom has a somewhat powerful and not very refined or pleasant smell, resembling 
ardent spirits ; hence the common name sometimes given to the plant of Brandy-Bottle. 
The Greeks prepare a cordial from the flowers. The rootstocks contain a considerable 
quantity of starch, as do also the seeds. Some persons boil the seeds, when they 
are said to have a pleasant nutty flavour. The leaves have been used as a styptic. 
All parts of the plant contain tannic acid, and are useful in tanning, especially the root- 
stocks. The prostrate stems rubbed with milk are a reputed poison for crickets and 
cockroaches. An infusion of the rootstock (known as the root) in water, was long con- 
sidered a specific in eruptive diseases of the skin. The tropical species of Nymphzaceze 
have wonderfully tinted blossoms of blue and crimson. An allusion to the near 
alliance of these British Water-Lilies with the magnificent Water-Lily of the West—the 
Victoria Regia,—whose flowers are often fifteen inches in diameter, and whose leaves 
frequently measure six feet and a half across, may perhaps be excused. All lovers of 
floral beauty should give themselves the treat of seeing these magnificent flowers in 
the aquatic greenhouse at Kew, or in the Regent’s Park Botanical Gardens, where, 
in the season, they blossom in perfection. 
