32 NYMPH^ACE^ 



Yellow Water-lily, which has a very thick cup-like blossom. It floats, during 

 June and July, on many of our streams, ponds, and rivers ; but it is so suc- 

 culent that it is impossible to dry it for the herbarium so as to retain a;ny- 

 thing of its original appearance. It has a strong odour, too powerful for a 

 room, but pleasant enough when borne on the winds with the fragrance 

 of the mint, and the delicate scent of the green herbage ; and we have 

 sometimes thought it delicious as we have sat by the stream where were 

 abundance of 



"The water-lilies, whose broad leaves 



Make green and sunny islets in the pool, 



For golden flies on summer days to haunt, 



Safe from the lightning-seizure of the trout ; 



Or yield their laps to catch the minnow springing 



Clear from the stream, to 'scape the ruffian pike, 



Tliat prowls in disappointed nige beneath, 



And wonders where the little wretch found refuge." 



There is a strong scent of brandy in the flower, and this, as well as the 

 shape of its seed-vessels, has led to its familiar name of Brandy-bottle ; v/hile 

 the leaves, which when half unfolded are rolled into green slender vase-like 

 forms, have procured for it the name of Water-can. The Turks and Arabs 

 are very fond of the Water-lilies, and deck the festive table with their flowers. 

 They also make a pleasant liquor from them, which they call Pufer, a corrup- 

 tion probably of the old Arabic name of the flower, Noufar ; and when the 

 Arab raises the Pufer-vase to his lips, his companions say to him, " May it 

 benefit thee !" while he in return exclaims, " Praise be to God !" and, passing 

 the liquor onwards, adds, " May God benefit thee !" 



The glossy leaves, over which the water runs as over oiled cloth, are 

 said to be styptic. The thick and succulent stems are bitter and astringent ; 

 the whole plant contains a quantity of starch ; and the seeds, which taste 

 like those of the poppy, are eaten by the natives of many countries in which 

 these lilies grow, and are often partaken of by travellers who share in Eastern 

 hospitality. The rootstocks of several of the Water-lilies are highly esteemed 

 by the negroes of Senegal, who roast and eat them like potatoes ; and in 

 India the farinaceous seeds are sometimes boiled, or are roasted in heated 

 sand, or they are eaten raw like millet. The roots of the yellow species are 

 iu Sweden, during seasons of scarcity, pounded into cakes, along with the 

 inner bark of the Scotch fir. 



The Yellow Water-lily is a native of almost all parts of Europe, as well 

 as of America and many parts of Asia. Linnieus says that the flowers, as 

 Avell as roots, are eaten by swine, though refused by most animals. He also 

 adds that cockroaches are destroyed by the roots, bruised and mingled with 

 milk, and that a similar preparation will kill crickets. 



2. Least Water-lily (N. pilmila). — Stigma of 8 — 10 rays, which extend 

 beyond the margin ; leaves cordate. Plant perennial. This lesser Water-lily, 

 which blossoms in July and August, varies little from the last-named species, 

 though smaller in size. It is doubtful if it is essentially distinct from it, the 

 most marked diff'erence being in the toothed edge of the stigma, the rounder 

 petals, and the shorter anthers. It grows in several of the Highland lakes ; at 

 Mugdock, near Glasgow ; and Ellesmere, Salop. 



