ii8 NYMPHS ACE^E. [CLASS 



OBSERVE the wide air-cavities in the petioles and 

 peduncles : the very gradual transition from sepals to 

 petals, and from petals to stamens ; the floral receptacle, 

 which develops around, and adnate to, the carpels, so 

 that they become united into a spuriously syiacarpous 



FIG. 76. Sacred Lotus (Nelumbium speciosutn). Much reduced. 



pistil, and the petals and stamens appear as though 

 inserted upon the ovary : the rays of the stigma, usually 

 16 to 19 (varying from 13 to 24), which are opposite to 

 the cells of the ovary, and not opposite to the dissepi- 

 ments, consequently each ray of the stigma belongs to 



