82 



Nardostachys Jatamansi, Gaud. 



Mountains of Bengal and ~N"epaul. A perennial herb, 

 famous already at ancient times as a medicinal plant. The 

 root contains an ethereal oil and bitter principle. This drug 

 is often also obtained from JV. grandiflora, Cand. 



Nelumbo llltea, Caspary.* (Nelunibium luteum, Willd.) 



In North America, north to 44 ; also in Jamaica. This 

 magnificent perennial water-plant carries with it the type of 

 Nelumbo nucifera, but seems more hardy and thus better 

 adapted for our latitudes, the Pythagorean Bean not descend- 

 ing in Australia naturally beyond the 23, although also this 

 species may perhaps live in the warmer parts of our Colony. 

 The tuberous roots of both species resemble the Sweet 

 Potato and are starchy : the seeds are of particularly 

 pleasant taste. To us the plants would be of great value 

 as ornamental aquatics. The leaves of N. lutea are from 

 1 foot to 2 feet in diameter. The flowers measure one-half 

 to one foot across. The capsular fruit contains from 20 to 

 40 nut-like seeds. The plant in congenial spots dis- 

 places nearly all other water vegetation by the vigor of its 

 growth. 



Nellimbo nucifera, G-aertner.* (Nelum~bium speciosum, Willd.) 

 The Pythagorean Bean. Egypt ; at the Caspian and Aral 

 Seas (46 N.) ; Persia ; through India, where in Cashmere it 

 occurs at an elevation of 5000 feet ; China ; Japan ; Amur 

 (46 N.); tropical Australia as far south as 23. The occur- 

 rence of this grand plant at the Ima, at Pekin and at 

 Astrachan proves sufficiently, that we can naturalize it in 

 Victoria. 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. 



Nephelium Litchi, Cambess. 



South China, Cochin-China and Philippine Islands. An 

 evergreen tree, producing the Litchi-fruit. The pulpy 

 arillus is of extremely pleasant taste, though not large. 



