BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 65 



species of Anemone, among which the Pasque- 

 flower, and Wood Anemone, rank conspicuously. 

 The Peonies Magnolias, and the Tulip Tree, 

 help to form a splendid array. We will finish 

 with the Sweet Scented Water Lily. It has a 

 large, round, bright green leaf, which as well as 

 the flowers, floats on the surface of the water by 

 means of the air contained in their separate 

 stalks, both of which spring from the root. 

 Many efforts have been made to catch the deli- 

 cious odor in the form of an essense. but all have 

 failed. Dr. Smith observes that these splendid 

 flowers expand in sunshine and in the middle of 

 the day, only closing towards evening, when 

 they recline on the surface of the water or sink 

 beneath it ; the berry gradually decays at the 

 bottom of the water scattering its seed in the 

 mud. The stimulus of light acts on the flowers 

 and leaves and causes them to rise and expand 

 so that the pollen may ripen and reach the stig- 

 ma uninjured. When the stimulus ceases to 

 act they close again, drooping by their own 

 weight to a certain depth ; lastly, the more pon- 

 derous fruit finally sinks to the bottom. 



