230 Select Plants for Industrial Culture 



of this grand plant at the Ima, at Pekin and at Astrachan proves 

 sufficiently, that we can naturalize it in moderately cool climes, as has 

 been done already by Marquis G-inoi at Doccia, near Florence. The 

 plant luxuriates even in New Jersey, where when once established 

 Mr. Sturtevant saw it retaining its vitality while dormant through 

 successive winters underneath ice 6 inches thick. The Nelumbo 

 requires deep water with a muddy bottom. The large white or rosy 

 flowers are very fragrant. The seeds retain their vitality for several 

 years. According to the ancient Egyptian method, they are placed in 

 balls of muddy clay and chaff, and then sunk into the water. Not 

 only the very palatable seeds serve for food, but also the stalks, which 

 are used as a vegetable. According to Moorcroft this plant contri- 

 butes much to the sustenance of some thousands of people in 

 Cashmere for eight months in the year. 



Nepeta Cataria, Linne". 



Europe, Western Asia. The " Catmint." This somewhat aromatic 

 herb is valued in domestic medicine. Apiarists praise it also, Quinby 

 stating, that if there was any plant, which he should cultivate 

 especially, it would be this. 



Nepeta Grleclionia, Bentham. (Glechoma hederacea, Linne.) 



" The Ground-Ivy." Europe, Western Asia. This herb is still 

 in great estimation as a pectoral medicine in many parts of Europe. 

 It is also a honey-plant. Perennial like most congeners. 



Nepeta raphanorrhiza, Bentham. 



Cashmere and Afghanistan. The roots of this herb furnish a 

 delicious vegetable (Dr. Aitchison) ; they have the taste of fresh 

 almonds; large quantities are consumed by the inhabitants of the 

 native countries of this plant. 



Nephelium lappaceum, Linne". 



South-India and Malay-Islands. This rather tall tree furnishes 

 the Rambutan- or Rampostan-fruit, similar to the Litchi- and Longan- 

 fruit. As one species of Nephelium is indigenous as far south as 

 Grippsland (Victoria), and as all the species seem to require rather a 

 moist mild forest-clime than great atmospheric heat, we may hope to 

 bring this tree also to perfect bearing in favorable spots of a temperate 

 clime. 



Nepheliuni Litchi, Cambessedes. 



Southern China, Cochin-China and the Philippine-Islands. An 

 evergreen middle-sized tree, producing the Litchi-fruit. The pulpy 

 arillus is of extremely pleasant taste, though not large. 



Nephelium Longanum, Cambessedes. 



India and Southern China. Height of tree to about 40 feet. The 

 Longan-fruit is obtained from this tree; it is smaller than that of the 

 Litchi-tree and less palatable. 



