72 ROYAL WATER-LILY. 



nally reared from seeds obtained at one of its lo- 

 calities on the Essequibo. The genial climate of 

 these islands is found to be highly favourable for 

 the development of this plant, and enables it to 

 be grown abundantly in the open-air ponds and 

 streams, wherever proper situations can be select- 

 ed. When grown in the open air, however, the 

 Victoria is very sensible to the influences of the 

 sea-breeze; this may prevent its very extensive cul- 

 tivation in such sea-girt islands, as it will be neces- 

 sary to confine it to the interior, beyond the reach 

 of the maritime breeze. 



The editor of the " Kew Garden Miscellany " (Sir 

 William Hooker) mentions that his most recent let- 

 ters from Dr Falconer, of the Honourable East India 

 Company's Botanic Garden, dated 2d May, 1850, an- 

 nounced the arrival of the head-gardener, Mr Scott, 

 at that establishment, bringing with him seeds of the 

 Victoria, which, says Sir William's valued correspon- 

 dent, " will constitute a splendid feature in our out- 

 of-door tanks, surrounded with Nelumbium specio- 

 sum which we grow almost by the acre Euryale 

 ferox, and Nymphsea rubra, &e.; but we have yet to 

 ascertain whether the seed will germinate." The 

 Royal Lily will indeed prove a grand addition to 

 the magnificent aquatic vegetation of India, already 

 so rich and luxuriant as to strike every European 

 observer with profound admiration and astonish- 

 ment. Once successfully introduced to India, and 



