12 WATER-LILY FAMILY. 



the last few years, and subsequently found in the 

 utmost profusion in many of our waters, more espe- 

 cially in England, where, if it be not really indige- 

 nous, it has become so abundant, and proved so 

 troublesome, as to require removal by dredging. It 

 is a near ally of the Vallisneria. 



But by far the most beautiful tribe of Aquatic 

 plants is the Water-Lilies those lovely Naiads that 

 adorn the lakes and rivers with their ample foliage, 

 in tropical as well as temperate lands, and, raising 

 their gorgeous flowers with the morning sun, recline 

 them 



" In graceful attitudes, to rest," 



as the god of day sinks in the western horizon. These 

 plants are arranged by botanists into the Natural 

 Order Nymphceacece ; but the name of Water-Lily is 

 often extended to an allied family, the Nelumbiacece. 



The natural order, Nymphaeacese which derives 

 its name from its members, nymph-like, inhabiting 

 the waters although entirely composed of plants 

 holding no higher station than that of "aquatic 

 herbs," is, nevertheless, at once one of the loveliest 

 and one of the most interesting tribes of the whole 

 Vegetable Kingdom. The expansive and verdant 

 foliage of the Nymphseas, floating gracefully upon 

 the surface of the water, render them highly con- 

 spicuous as well as pleasing objects in the pure ele- 

 ment which they inhabit, while their truly splendid 

 blossoms of pure white, delicate rose, bright yellow, 



