70 BEECK'S NEW BOOK OP FLOWERS. 



over with small pebbles, that the fish may be more dis- 

 tinctly seen ; a few large shells will add to the interest 

 of the pond. The most interesting aquatic plant of our 

 country is the well known and universal favorite, the 

 Nymphcea odorata, the Water Lily. Its botanical 

 name signifies "the Nymph or Naiad of the Streams." 

 Few plants possess more exquisite fragrance than the com- 

 mon Water Lily. When floating upon the surface of the 

 water, its open petals spread out to receive the genial 

 rays of the sun; it is an object of great interest, and may 

 be truly considered the embodiment of purity and love- 

 liness. It is generally found in deep water, where its 

 roots are secured from the frosts in the winter by a sort 

 of natural hot-bed being thus provided for it. In my ex- 

 perience, two feet of water is amply sufficient to protect 

 it. The roots creep through the muddy bottom of ponds 

 to a great extent. They are very rough, knotted, black- 

 ish, and as large as a man's arm, and difficult to extract 

 from the bottom of deep water, but when taken up there 

 is no more trouble. Tie stones to the roots, and throw 

 them in to the part of the pond prepared for them, and 

 they will soon establish themselves. There appears to be 

 two common varieties, one with stout green stems, green 

 calyx and white within, and the petals without any tint 

 of pink or purple ; the other has brown stems, more slen- 

 der ; flowers with brownish green calyx and pinkish white 

 within, the outer petals tinged with red on the under 

 side. While I resided in Lancaster, Mass., I found a 

 beautiful variety, in a corner of a pond in that town, with 

 pink petals, which I transferred to a small pond in my 

 garden, where it flourished until I left the place. The pond 

 was afterward drained, and I suppose the root was destroy- 

 ed. Mr. Win. E. Carter, formerly of the Botanic Garden, 

 Cambridge, procured from the same pond a root which 

 flourished many years in the aquarium there, but in dear- 



