206 SELECT PLANTS FOR INDUSTRIAL CULTURE 



Nelumbo lutea, Caspary.* (Nelumbium luteum, Willdenow.) 



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

 cent perennial water-plant carries with it the type of Nelumbo 

 nucifera, but seems more hardy, and thus better adapted for extra- 

 tropical latitudes, the Pythagorean Bean not descending in Aus- 

 tralia naturally beyond 23, although this species also may perhaps 

 live in the warmer parts of the temperate zone. The tuberous 

 roots of both species resemble the Sweet Potato and are starchy ; 

 the seeds are of particularly pleasant taste. The plants would be 

 of great value as ornamental aquatics. The leaves of N. lutea are 

 from 1 to 2 feet in diameter. The flowers measure | to 1 foot 

 across. The capsular fruit contains from twenty to forty nut-like 

 seeds. The plant in congenial spots displaces nearly all other water 

 vegetation by the vigour of its growth. 



Nelumbo nucifera, Gaertner.* (Nelurribium speciosum, Willdenow). 



The Pythagorean Bean. Egypt ; on the Caspian and Aral Seas 

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

 an elevation of 5,000 feet ; China ; Japan ; Amur (46 N.) ; tropical 

 Australia as far south as 23. The occurrence 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 Ginoi at Doccia, near Florence. 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. 



Nepeta Glechoma, Bentham. (Glechoma kederacea, Linne.) 



Europe, West Asia. The Ground Ivy. Still held in great esti- 

 mation as a pectoral medicine in some parts of Britain (G. W. 

 Johnson). 



Nephelium lappaceum, Linne. 



India. This 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 Gippsland (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 in favourable 

 spots of a temperate clime to perfect bearing. 



Nephelium Litchi, Cambessedes. 



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. 



