54 ROYAL WATER-LILY. 



phials of pure water, and forwarded per mail to the 

 Kew Gardens by two gentlemen, whose names will 

 long remain on record in connection with the Vic- 

 toria's history Hugh Kodie, Esq., M.D., and 



Luckie, Esq., George Town, Demerara. The first 

 arrival of seeds from these gentlemen was in Feb- 

 ruary, 1849. These seeds proved quite perfect and 

 fresh; and three other importations, sent at different 

 times, shortly afterwards, all arrived safely at Kew 

 in the like good condition. By the end of March, 

 six healthy plants had been raised from the seeds 

 first received from Messrs Bodie and Luckie, and 

 those which afterwards came to hand continued to 

 germinate from time to time. More than fifty 

 plants were in all produced, and were in good condi- 

 tion by the latter end of summer. 



So soon as the seedlings were in a fit state for 

 safe removal, they were liberally distributed to dis- 

 tinguished private cultivators and public gardens in 

 various parts of the country. It was only in some 

 of the establishments, however, to which it was 

 sent, where accommodation sufficient for the colos- 

 sal Water-Lily could be provided, and in such only 

 did the plants survive. In a few instances, under 

 the most favourable circumstances, have the plants 

 been successfully cultivated, and produced flowers 

 and fruit. 



Among other gardens to which the seedlings of the 

 Victoria were sent, one was received on 3d August, 



