952 



that they will pay as much as from one to four shillings for a single 

 seed. Indeed, there is hardly a person in New Granada or the adja- 

 cent states who does not possess a piece (cotyledon) of Cedron ; the 

 lower classes carrying it on a cord around the neck ; the upper, mostly 

 in their purses or cigar-cases. When any one is bitten, a little, mixed 

 with water, is applied to the wound, and about two grains are scraped 

 into brandy, or, in the absence of that liquor, into water, and admi- 

 nistered internally ; and it is universally believed that the application 

 will neutralize the venom of the most dangerous reptiles and other 

 animals. 



Nothing more seems to be known of the Cedron. Whether in all 

 climates, and against the bites of all venomous animals, it will prove 

 an efficacious antidote; whether it will ultimately be considered a more 

 powerful agent for counteracting the fever than quinine; is at present 

 impossible to say. One thing is certain,— that the Cedron, unless 

 propagated by artificial means, will always be a scarce article, and 

 consequently too expensive to be generally employed, or to be used 

 as a substitute for drugs which, produced spontaneously by Nature, 

 may be obtained in unlimited quantities, and at a cheap rate. 



Berthold Seemann. 

 Kew, April 1853. 



Revision of the Genus Nymphcea. By Dr. C. Lehmann. 



Since the introduction of the Victoria regia into Europe, all water- 

 plants, especially the Nymphseaceae, have engaged the attention of 

 both botanists and gardeners ; in fact, they have become the fashion : 

 and at such a time the publication of a monograph on Nymphseaceae, 

 prepared by Dr. Lehmann, one of the most accomplished botanists of 

 the day, is extremely opportune. The first section of this monograph 

 has just appeared, and is to be considered as a Prodromus. After- 

 wards the whole is to be reprinted, and accompanied by figures of the 

 new and little-known species. The following abstract* will give some 

 notion of the vast labour the author has undertaken. For such a task 

 Dr. Lehmann deserves the thanks of every naturalist ; and we sin- 

 cerely hope that all those who may have in their possession any 



* From E. Otto's ' Garten zeitung,' May, 1853. 



