136 NYMPH/EA ODORATA. SWEET-SCENTED WATER-LILY. 



lake in Sweden is thought by the horticultural papers to be a 

 great and valuable novelty. Another white species of the old 

 world, N. dentata, also has a red variety, so it would seem that we 

 may look for these dark variations in any light-colored species. 



The pond-lily is not only famous in poetry and in popular 

 history, but in its more matter-of-fact character has much to be 

 proud of. Dr. Riddell, a famous botanist of the past generation, 

 says : " The Nymphcva odorata grows in Lake Champlain, and its 

 juice is good against inflammations, burns, scalds ; and the seeds 

 are good in thirst, vomitings, and diarrhoeas." 



Rafinesque says that "its properties are similar to the 

 NymphcEa alba of Europe, but much more effective and 

 decided. The roots are chiefly used, and are kept in shops in 

 New England." Of its peculiar composition, he says it has 

 "starch, mucilage, sugar, resin, ammonia, ulmine, and tartaric 

 acid," and amongst its powers is that of " dyeing of a dark- 

 brown and black color with iron." He says further that the 

 "leaves are excellent food for cows and cattle," and that "in 

 Canada they are eaten in the spring boiled for greens." And 

 the ladies will be glad to know that " the fresh juice of the roots, 

 mixed with lemon-juice, is said to be a good cosmetic, and to 

 remove pimples and freckles from the skin." 



It is remarkable how large a number of popular names the 

 water-lily has received. In the middle ages it was known in 

 different places in Europe as Swamp-weed, Swamp-poppy, 

 Venus' Club, Venus' Finger, Hercules' Club, Water-can, and 

 Water-socks. In our country, according to Rafinesque, our 

 species has beep known as Toad-lily, Cow-cabbage, and Water- 

 cabbage. 



Of the European form, Linnceus noted that the flower raised 

 itself out of the water and expanded about seven o'clock in the 

 morning, and was fully closed again about four in the afternoon. 



Explanations of tme Plate.— i. 2. Flower and unopened bud of the common white form. 

 3. Opening bud of the rose-colored variety, from a specimen furnished by Mr. Jackson 

 Dawson. 



