358 



NELUMBI ACE.E S ARRA C ENI AC EJE. 



vitellus, and situated at the base of the perisperm (fig. 480). Aquatic 

 plants, with peltate or cordate fleshy leaves, and a rootstock or stem 



which extends itself into the mud at 

 the bottom of the water. Lindley 

 enumerates 5 genera, comprehend- 

 ing 50 species. Examples Nym- 

 phasa, Nuphar, Victoria, Euryale. 



751. The plants of this order are 

 found throughout the northern 

 hemisphere, and are generally rare 

 in the southern hemisphere. Little 

 is known in regard to their proper- 

 ties. Some of them are astringent 

 and bitter, while others are said 

 to be sedative. They have showy 

 flowers, and their petioles and 



peduncles contain numerous air-tubes. Victoria regia, is one of the 

 largest known aquatics. It is found in the waters of South America, 

 and is said to range over 35 degrees of longitude. The flowers have 

 a fine odour. When expanded they are a foot in diameter. The 

 leaves are from four to six and a half feet in diameter. The seeds and 

 rootstocks of many plants of this order contain much starch, and are 

 used for food. 



752. Order 9. Nelumbiaceie, the Water-bean Family. (Polypet. 

 Hypog.) Sepals 4-5. Petals numerous, in many rows. Stamens in- 

 definite, in several rows; filaments petaloid; anthers adnate, introrse, 

 opening by a double longitudinal cleft. Torus large, fleshy, elevated, 

 enclosing in hollows of its surface numerous carpels. Nuts numerous, 

 inserted, but loose, into the depressions of the torus. Seeds 1-2; 

 perisperm none; embryo enclosed in a vitellus, large, with 2 fleshy 

 cotyledons. Aquatic herbs, with showy flowers, peltate floating leaves, 

 and prostrate rootstocks, found in the temperate and tropical regions 

 of the old and new world. Lindley enumerates 1 genus, including 3 

 species. Example Nelumbium. 



753. The flower of Nelumbium spedosum is supposed to be the Lotus 

 figured on Egyptian and Indian monuments, and the fruit is said to be 

 the Pythagorean Bean. The plant is said to have disappeared from 

 the Nile, where it used to abound. The petioles and peduncles contain 

 numerous spiral vessels, which have been used for wicks of candles. 



754. Order 10. Sarraeeniacetc, the Sidesaddle-flower Family. 

 (Polypet. Hypog.) Sepals 5, persistent, imbricated in aestivation, 

 often with coherent bracts outside. Petals 5, hypogynous, concave; 



Fig. 562. Section of a flower of Nymphsea alba, white Water-lily, showing the pistils and the 

 receptacle or torus bearing the stamens and petals, p. Peduncle or flower-stalk, t, Elevated torus 

 or receptacle, s, Radiating stigmas, a, Sepal. 6, Petal, c, Stamens. 



