270 



MANUAL OF BOTANY 



flattened torus {Nelumbium). Stigmas either distinct or 

 uniting into an epigynous disc. Ovules anatropous, or in 

 Barclaija ortliotropous, distributed over the surface of tlie 

 dissepiments of the ovary, or pendulous from the central suture 

 or the apex of the carpels when the latter are distinct. Seeds 

 albuminous, with endosperm and perisperm, or exalbuminous ; 

 arillate or naked. 



The order is divided mto the following sub-orders : — 



Sub-order 1. C(x6o»i&e<^. — Sepals and petals 3. Carpels 3. 



Ovules few. Flowers small. 

 Sub-order 2. iV2/?^?_p/2t5«. — Sepals 4 — 6. Petals and stamens oc. 



Carpels numerous, coherent. Ovules x. Flowers generally 



showy. 

 Sub-order 3. Nelumbonece. — Sepals 4 — 5. 



Carpels smik in a fleshy torus, 

 exalbuminous. 



Distribution. — The plants of this order are chiefly found in 



Petals and stamens oc. 

 Ovules 1 — 2. Seeds 



Fm. 1029. 



.^-'"'^ 



Fig. 1030. 



Fig. 1031. 



/Vf/. 1029. Flower of Yellow AVater-lil^' (Niq)har 



Iiiteinn). Fi(j. 1030. Ovary of Nii/>har with 



numerous radiating stigmas. Fhi. 1031. 



Vertical section of the seed of Xiinipfuea 

 n/b((, showing the embryo embediled in endo- 

 sperm, outside whicli lies amass of perisperm. 



quiet waters throughout the whole of the northern hemisphere 

 and more sparingly in the southern. Illustrative Genera ;— 

 Victoria, LmcZZ. ; Nymphaea, Linn. ; Cabomba, Aubl. ; Nelumbium. 

 There are 8 genera and 35 species. 



This order is distinguished from the others of the Eanales by 

 the seeds usually containing both endosperm and perisperm. 

 The Nymphaete approach the Papaveraceae in their placentation, 

 but differ in the contents of the seed, and in their habit. The 

 character of the seeds is almost the only distinction between 

 Cabomba and the lianunculacese. 



Properties and U'ses.— These plants have bitter and 

 astringent properties. The flowers are said to be narcotic. 



