NATIVE WILD FLOWEKS 



ful work, " sought out only by those who have pleasure 

 therein."* 



The roots of the Water-lily contain a large quantity of 

 fecula (flour), which, after repeated washings, may be 

 used for food; they are also made use of in medicine, being 

 cooling and softening; the fresh leaves are used as good 

 dressings for blisters. 



The Lotus of Egypt belongs to this family, and not only 

 furnished magnificent ornaments with which to crown the 

 heads of the gods and kings, but the seeds also served as 

 food to the people in times of scarcity. The Sacred Lotus, 

 or Lily of the Nile (Nymphwa Lotus), found veneration with 

 the ancient Egyptians. 



" Lotus-eaters," says Dr. Lee, " not only abound in Egypt,, 

 but all over the East." " The large fleshy roots of the 

 Nelumbium luteum, or great Yellow Water-lily, found 

 in our North American lakes, resemble the Sweet Potato 

 (Batatas edulis), and by some of the natives are esteemed 

 equally agreeable and wholesome," observes the same 

 author, " being used as food by the Indians, as are the roots 

 of another species, Nelumbium speciosum, by some of the- 

 Tartar tribes." 



The people of China, in some parts of that over-populated 

 country, grow Water-lilies upon their lakes for the sake 

 of the nourishment yielded by the roots and seeds. 



As yet little value has been attached to our charming 

 White Water-lily, because its uses have been unknown. It 



* In that singular plant, the Eel or Tapegrass Vallisneria spiralis (L) a plant indi- 

 genous to our slow-flowing waters, the elastic stem which bears the pistillate flowers 

 uncoils to reach the surface of the water ; about the same time the pollen-bearing flowers, 

 which are produced at the bottom of the water on very short scapes, break away from 

 the confining bonds that hold them, and rise to the surface, where they expand and 

 scatter their fertilizing dust upon the fruit-bearing flowers which float around them ;. 

 after awhile the stems coil up again and draw the pod-like ovary down to the bottom, 

 there to ripen and perfect the fruit. 



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