18 THALAMIFLORJE. 



gradually into each other, the former persistent, the 

 latter inserted on the disk. Stamens numerous, in- 

 serted above the petals on the disk : filaments petaloid : 

 anthers adnate, bursting inwards by a double longitu- 

 dinal cleft. Disk large, surrounding the ovary. Ovary 

 many-celled, polyspermous, with the stigmata radiat- 

 ing from a common centre. Fruit many-celled, in- 

 dehiscent. Seeds very numerous, enveloped in a 

 gelatinous arillus : albumen farinaceous : embryosmall, 

 on the outside of the base of the albumen, enclosed in 

 a membranaceous bag : cotyledons foliaceous. 



The plants of this Order are floating aquatics, with peltate, 

 or cordate fleshy leaves. It is remarkable that they are all 

 natives of the Northern hemisphere, as none have hitherto been 

 discovered in the Southern. The root-like stems and flowers 

 were in ancient times regarded as narcotic, and sedative. The 

 former are slightly bitter and astringent, and, as they abound 

 with fecula, have been, after being well washed, employed, as 

 at present in China, as an article of food. The seeds also are 

 edible and wholesome, and those of one species (NELUMBIUM 

 SPECIOSUM), were formerly used as food by the Egyptians, being 

 the celebrated bean of Pythagoras. All the species are remark- 

 able for the beauty of their flowers, and, from this, as also from 

 their anomalous vegetation, were regarded by the ancient 

 Egyptians, and by the Hindoos even in the present day, among 

 their sacred plants. 



I. NELUMBIUM. 



Carpels many, distinct, 1-2-seeded, 1-styled, im- 

 mersed in an elevated obconical deeply foveolated (on 

 the upper surface) torus. Seeds solitary in each 

 carpel, destitute of either arillus or albumen. De 

 Cand. 



Name from Nelumbo, the name of the water-lily in Ceylon. 



1. * Nelumbium Jamaicense. Jamaica Nelumbo. 

 Leaves orbiculate peltate rayed beneath, fruit ob- 

 conical, seed large nidulant Brown. 



Nymphaea, Browne, Jam. 343. 

 HAB. Lagoons behind the Ferry. 



FL. ? 



Browne appears to be the only Botanist who has had an 

 opportunity of observing this plant. 



