ROYAL WATER-LILY. 



Victoria was planted consisted of three cart-loads 

 of good old turfy loam, which had lain in heap for 

 two or three years. Previously to placing it in the 

 tank, six inches of broken brickbats were laid on the 

 bottom, and covered with turves of peat. On these 

 the soil was laid in a conical form, rising to within 

 six inches of the surface of the water, and in the 

 centre of this the Victoria was planted. For three 

 weeks after its removal into its new home there was 

 scarcely a sunny day; indeed, it was generally very 

 foggy weather; and during this time it only existed, 

 making no apparent progress. The weather then 

 changed, and it immediately showed evident symp- 

 toms of growth. On February 1, 1 discovered on the 

 surface of the soil several white roots, unniistakeable 

 evidences of health under water; on the third, it 

 produced its first healthy leaf since its removal; by 

 the tenth, this was ten inches in diameter; at the 

 end of the month, seven leaves were formed, the 

 largest of which was sixteen inches in diameter; 

 during March, it added nine other leaves, the dia- 

 meter of the largest being nearly four feet. On 

 April 1, I discovered the first flower-bud, and on 

 the 10th, the flower began to open. It first opened 

 about five o'clock P.M., continued open all night, and 

 closed about ten A.M. on the following day. On that 

 day (April 11), it began to open about two o'clock 

 P.M., having gone through its various stages, reach- 

 ed its full expansion about six, when it was at its 



