HARDY AQUATICS. 75 



So interesting a plant as the Lapageria well deserved to be associated with the 

 memory of the amiable Josephine, 'La bonne et modeste femme du General 

 Bonaparte,' whose family name was, as most of our readers are doubtless aware, 

 de Lapagerie. It is another Souvenir de Malmaison. 



HARDY AQUATICS. 



The claims of the Ornamental Aquatics for a share of the public favour seem at last to be 

 recognized, and from being the most neglected, they appear likely, by one of those reactions so 

 common in the history of Horticulture, to become the most eagerly sought for of plants. This 

 impetus is in a great measure due to the introduction and successful cultivation of the noble Victoria 

 regia, a plant whose beauty is such, that a mere sight of it may well constitute an epoch in the 

 life of the observer; and of which we are even tempted to say, what the Andalusians boast of 

 Seville 'who has not seen it, never a marvel saw.' Unfortunately this 'Queen of the Waters' 

 require's for its successful growth appliances of which few individuals can boast, though we are 

 aware that it has been cultivated in the open air in the neighbourhood of London, in water 

 artificially heated, and covered at night to prevent too great a reduction of temperature. Even 

 with these precautions, however, the specimen in question was much inferior to those grown in the 

 covered Aquarium ; and instead therefore of extending our remarks on this plant, we shall at once 

 proceed to notice such of the hardier aquatics as are both easily cultivated and readily attainable. 



With some exceptions, those in general cultivation are such as grow wild in Great Britain; for 

 although few countries are without their aquatic flora, the difficulty of transporting seeds or roots has 

 prevented their extensive introduction. Our space is too limited to allow us to give in the present 

 number detailed directions for the construction of a receptacle for aquatic plants, though these will 

 readily suggest themselves to the mind of the intelligent cultivator. We will therefore suppose 

 the reader to be already in possession of a piece of water of greater or less extent, fit for the reception 

 of the plants, and to require nothing more than a list of some of the most ornamental, with a short 

 description of their habits. Although between those which are strictly floating aquatics, and those 

 which emerge to a considerable extent, there are many intermediate gradations, it will be convenient 

 to divide them into two groups, the first containing those which are either floating, or which rise 

 but slightly above the surface ; the second, those of a greater height. 



* PLANTS MORE OB LESS SUBMERGED. 



mmph*a alba. (White Water Lily.)-This is by far the finest of our indigenous aquatics, and is 

 one of the most easily managed. Our readers are too well acquainted with it to need any description 

 of it. It likes plenty of room, and several feet of water. The roots only require to be sunk in an 

 old basket. The species pygmma, from China, and odorata from N. America, are beautiful plants, 

 quite hardy, but wc arc not aware whether they are obtainable in this country. , 



Nupharlutca. (Yellow Water Lily.)-Equally desirable with the preceding, although the flowers 

 are smaller. Requires the same treatment. The North American N. advena is still more beautiful, 

 and quite hardy if planted in water of sufficient depth to prevent frost reaching it. This species is 

 crown by Mr. Stark of Edinburgh, and probably by all Florists who keep aquatic plants. 



NeJbium luteum. (Yellow Water Bean.)-This is a very beautiful plant, but rarely seen, and 



