ILLUSTRATIONS. 81 



two glands at the base ; six distinct stamens, wliicli have the 

 peculiarity of opening by valves; and a peltate stigma. The 

 flowers are succeeded by bright orange-red, oblong, succulent 

 berries, which are sometimes used for making preserves. The 

 recurved anther- valves are very peculiar. 



In lakes and slowly moving waters, will be seen floating the 

 broad peltate roundish heart-shaped glossy leaves of the White 

 Water Lily,^ and amongst them, just lying above the water 

 surface, the beautiful rosette-like flowers, which are among 

 the most lovely of our wildings : it is indeed 



" A water- weed, too fair 

 Either to be divided from the place 

 On which it grew, or to be left alone 

 To its own beauty." 



This " water-weed " represents the Nymphseaceous family, a 

 small assemblage of Thalamiflores, all having aquatic predilec- 

 tions. The plant has a thick rootstock, which is submerged, 

 rooting into the mud, and producing annually the broad float- 

 ing leaves which are attached by a slender petiole or stalk fixed 

 near their centre and which elongates sufficiently to bring the 

 leaves to the surface. The flowers also have separate stalks, 

 which elongate to a sufficient extent to elevate the chaste and 

 noble blossoms above the water. Thus, in all her classic pu- 

 rity, " upon her throne of green, sits the large Lily as the 

 W"ater's Queen," and there ^^she seems, all lovely as she is, the 

 fairy of the stream." The blossoms are rather peculiar, having 

 numerous sepals and petals and stamens all present ; but the 

 transition from one series of organs to the other is so gradual, 

 that it is difficult to determine where the one ends and the 

 other begins. The calyx is usually set down as consisting 

 of about four sepals, like the outer petals in form, but green 



* Nymplicea alba — Plate 7 B. 



