22 



NYMPH/EACE/E 



fragrant, flowers. Sepals 3 — 6, gradually passing into petals., and 

 these into stamens, both petals and stamens being inserted on a 

 fleshy disk, which surrounds the ovary ; ovary many-chambered, 

 many-seeded, with a sessile, radiate stigma. The starchy rhizomes 

 and seeds of some species are eaten. 



Nelumbiujn specibsum, the Sacred Lotus> with peltate leaves 





NYATPH^A h5tea {Coviuton Vellow Water-lily). 



rising above the water, and its carpels imbedded separately on the 

 upper surface of a funnel-shaped receptacle, though represented 

 in ancient Egyptian art, is no longer found in the Nile, but is 

 venerated by Buddhists throughout Eastern Asia. Another 

 member of this order, Victoria regia, a native of South America, 

 one of the most beautiful of aquatic plants, produces blossoms 15 

 inches and leaves over 6 feet in diameter. 



I. NYMPHi:A. — Sepals 5 — 6; petals many, small, hypogynous; 

 stamens many, hypogynous. 



