220 ORDER 9. NYMPHAEACE^E. 



This order comprises but a single genus with 2 species, viz., N. speciosum, supposed to be 

 the sacred Egyptian bean of the E. Indies ; the other, as follows. The nuts ore nutritive, and 

 also at certain seasons, the farinaceous rhizomes. 



NELUMBIUM, Juss. NELUMBO. Characters of the genus the same 

 as those of the order. 



N. luteum L. A magnificent flowering plant, frequent in the stagnant waters of 

 the South and West ; in Sodus Bay, N. Y. (Williams) ; Lyme, Ct. ; near Philadel- 

 phia, etc. Rhizome creeping in mud in depths of water from 2 or 3 to 6 From 

 this arise the simple scapes and petioles to the surface. Lvs. 10 18' diam., 

 orbicular, entire, concave, the petioles inserted at the center. Fls. several times 

 larger than those of Nymphaea odorata, fragrant. Petals concave, obtuse, light- 

 yellow, 3 4' in length. The nuts imbedded in the torus are about the size of 

 acorns, and remarkable for tho large, leafy embryo. June (S.) Aug. 



ORDER IX. NYMPHAEACEJE. WATER LILIES. 



Herbs aquatic, with peltate or cordate leaves from a prostrate rhizome. Fls. large, 

 showy, often sweet-scented. Sepals and petals numerous, imbricated, gradually 

 passing into each other. Sep. persistent. Petals inserted upon tho disk which sur- 

 rounds the pistil. Sla. numerous, in several rows upon tho disk, often passing into 

 petals. Anthers adnate, introrse. Pistils many, united into a many-celled, many- 

 seeded, compound ovary with a radiate stigma. Sds. embryo inclosed in a sack at 

 the end of a copious albumen next the hilum. (Figs. 453, 232 240.) 



Genera 5, species 50, inhabiting tho northern hemisphere, Victoria in equatorial America. 

 Their general aspect is that of an endogen, but they have 2 foliaceous cotyledons. The stems 

 of nyniphica contain a powerful astringent principle, which is removed by repeated washing in 

 water, after which they are tasteless, and inay be used for food. 



1. NYMPHJEA, L. WATER LILY. (The Greek nymph, or Naiad, of 

 the waters.) Sepals 4 or 5 ; petals oo, inserted on the torus at its base ; 

 stamens gradually transformed into petals : stigma surrounded with 

 rays ; pericarp many-celled, many-seeded. 14 Aquatic. 



1 N. odorata L. Rhizome thick, in mud beneath deep (3 9f.) water, sending its 

 Ivs. and fls. to the surface ; Ivs. floating, orbicuiar (5-8'), entire, cleft at base to 

 the centre, where the long petiole is inserted, the lubes imbricated; fls. white, 

 deliriously fragrant, often with a delicate tinge of purple; filaments yellowish; 

 seeds oblong, half the length of the aril. Jl., Aug. One of the loveliest of flowers. 



2 N. tuberosa Paine. Rhizome producing oblong (]') tubers which spontaneously 

 separate; Ivs. floating, orbicular-reniform, (G 15') entire, very veiny, the lobes 

 divaricate ; fls. scentless, or nearly so, milk-white (never purplish), pet. very blunt; 

 seeds globular-ovoid. Sodus Bay (Hankenson) to Pa., and westwaH. Jl. 



2. NOPHAR, Smith. POND LILY. (Neufar is the Arabic name.) 

 Sepals 5 or 6, oblong, concave, colored within ; corolla of numerous 

 small petals furrowed externally, and inserted with the numerous, trun- 

 cated, linear stamens on the torus ; stigma discoid, with prominent 

 rays ; pericarp many -celled, many-seeded. H Aquatic. Lvs. oval or 

 oblong, sagittate-cordate. 



J. N. advena Ait. YELLOW POND LILY. Lvs. floating or erect, with rouuded, 

 diverging lobes at base, petioles half-round; sep. 6; petals CO; stig. 12 15-rayed, 

 margin slightly repand. Yery common in sluggish streams and muddy lakes, 

 Can. to Ga., W. to Oregon. A well-looking and very curious plant, but from 

 its filthy habits it has been called, with justice, the frog lily. The rhizome i* 

 large, creeping extensively. Lvs. large, dark green, shining above, nn<l when 

 floating, pale and slimy beneath. Petioles half round. Fls. rather largo and 



