

M^lsa Nelumbium. 1 6 1 



that had remained in the open ground in Baron Hauss- 

 mann's garden in the Bois de Boulogne during the pre- 

 ceding winter. It was left in the position in which it 

 grew during the summer of 1867, and in the month of 

 November covered with a little thatched shed, the space 

 about the plant being filled with dry leaves. All the 

 leaves were cut off. In spring the protection was re- 

 moved and the plant pushed vigorously. It had, when 

 I saw it, 1 6 leaves, not one of which was torn or lace- 

 rated, although it was in an exposed position. It was 

 not more than 5 ft. high, but was more attractive than 

 much larger individuals of the same species, from being 

 so compact and untattered in its foliage. As most people 

 who grow it will have means of keeping it indoors in 

 winter, and as it is so rare, this mode of keeping it is 

 not likely to be taken advantage of with us at present ; 

 but that it can and has been so wintered is an inter- 

 esting fact. 



Other species are : M. paradisiaca (the Plantain) ; M. 

 sapientum (the Banana) ; M. Cavendishii, a dwarf-growing 

 kind, seldom exceeding 5 ft. or 6 ft. in height, and fruiting 

 freely in a stove ; M. superba, and M. zebrina. These, 

 however, are all properly hothouse kinds, and do not 

 thrive in the open air. 



Nelumbium luteum. This is perhaps second to 

 none of its fine family in beauty. In the Paris Garden 

 a plant remained in a fountain-basin, in a very sheltered 

 position, for several years, flowering yearly. On the 

 nth of September, 1868, the petals of one of these 

 flowers measured each 6 ins. in length ! and consequently 

 the flower fully spread out was more than a foot in 



M 



