24 PLANTS GROWING IN WATER. 



Floivers : small; axillary. Calyx and Corolla: of three or four divisions. 

 Stamens: twelve to eighteen. ^ Pistils: four to eighteen. Leaves: on long 

 petioles, peltate, two or three inches wide, floating. Rootstock : creeping. 



One of our interesting little aquatics that is fond of sluggish 

 streams and ponds and not over careful about soiling its appear- 

 ance on muddy shores. The lower side of its leaves and stems 

 is covered with a sticky substance like jelly. 



WHITE WATER=LILY. WATER NYMPH. 



Castdlia odorhta. 



FAMILY COLOUR ODOUR RANGE TIME OF BLOOM 



Water-lily. White or rose. Fragrant. General. All summer. 



Flowers : large ; solitary. Calyx : of four to six sepals. Corolla : of numer- 

 ous petals in many concentric circles, the innermost passing gradually into 

 stamens. Stamens: numerous. Pistil : one, having a many-celled ovary, the 

 rounded top of which produces radiate stigmas around a central projection. 

 Leaves : floating ; orbicular, or rounded. Stems j hollow ; long and round. 

 Rootstock : thick ; fleshy. 



The white water-lily is the most beautiful of the aquatics. 

 Over the calm surface of the ponds it moves by means of its 

 long, free stems as gracefully as many an animal. In fact, the 

 habits of this lovely flower are not unlike those of the snails 

 and beetles with which it dwells in its watery home. One of 

 the most interesting features of aquatic life is the way that 

 the plants care for themselves during the cold weather. In 

 summer, the lily floats upon the surface of the water so as to 

 attract the attention of the aquatic insects on which it relies 

 for fertilization. Being untrammelled by space, it spreads its 

 leaves out roundly to the sunshine and drinks in abundantly of 

 life. The water serves well to float the leaves instead of the 

 stalks that are necessary to aerial foliage. 



When the air is chilly with forebodings of frost and ice, the 

 lily, having fulfilled its mission of reproducing itself and storing 



