220 ORDER 9. NYMPH AEACE^E. 



This order comprises but a single genus with 2 species, viz., N. speciosum, supposed to be 

 the sacred Egyptian bean of the E. Indies ; the other, as follows. Tho nuts are nutritive, and 

 also at certain seasons, the farinaceous rhizomes. 



NELUMBIUM, Juss. NELUMBO. Characters of the genus the same 

 as those of the order. 



N. luteum L. A magnificent flowering plant, frequent in the stagnant waters of 

 the South and West ; in Sodus Bay, N. Y. (Williams) ; Lyme, Ct. ; near Philadel- 

 phia, etc.' Rhizome creeping in mud in depths of water from 2 or 3 to 6f. From 

 this arise the simple scapes and petioles to the surface. Lvs. 10 18' diam., 

 orbicular, entire, concave, the petioles inserted at the center. Fls. several times 

 larger than those of Nymphaea odorata, fragrant. Petals concave, obtuse, light- 

 yellow, 34' in Idngth. The nuts imbedded in the torus are about the size of 

 acorns, and remarkable for the large, leafy embryo. June (S.) Aug. 



ORDER IX. NYMPHAEACE^E. WATER LILIES. 



Herbs aquatic, with peltate or cordate leaves from a prostrate rhizome. Fls. large, 

 showy, often sweet-scented. Sepals and petals numerous, imbricated, gradually 

 passing into each other. Sep. persistent. Petals inserted upon the disk which sur- 

 rounds the pistil. Sta. numerous, in several rows upon the disk, often passing into 

 petals. Anthers adnate, introrse. Pistils many, united into a many-celled, many- 

 seeded, compound ovary with a radiate stigma. Sds. embryo inclosed in a sack at 

 the end of a copious albumen next the hilum. (Figs. 453, 232 240.) 



Genera 5, species 50, inhabiting tho northern hemisphere, Victoria in equatorial America. 

 Their general aspect is that of an endogen, but they have 2 foliaceous cotyledons. The stems 

 of nympbsea contain a powerful astringent principle, which is-rernoved by repeated washing in 

 water, after which they arc tasteless, and may be used for food. 



1. NYMPHJEA, L. WATER LILY. (The Greek nymph, or Naiad, of 

 the waters.) Sepals 4 or 5 ; petals oo, inserted on the torus at its base ; 

 stamens gradually transformed into petals : stigma surrounded with 

 rays ; pericarp many-celled, many-seeded. 14 Aquatic. 



N. odordta L. One of the loveliest of flowers, possessing beauty, delicacy, and 

 fragrance in the highest degree. Ponds and sluggish streams, N. Am. E. of R. 

 Mts. Rhizome thick, in mud where the water is of 3 8 or lOf in depth, send- 

 ing up leaves and flowers to tho surface. Lvs. 5 6' diam., dark shining green 

 above, orbicular, entire-edged, cleft at tho base quite to the insertion of the long 

 petiole. Sep. colored within. Pet. lanceolate, 1^ 2' long, of the most delicate 

 texture, white, tinged with purple. Fil. yellow, dilated gradually from the inner 

 to the outer series so as to pass insensibly into petals. ( 378). Jl. 

 /? ROSEA Ph. Petals rose-colored. Mass. 



2. NflPHAR, Smith. POND LILY. (Neufar is the Arabic name.) 

 Sepals 5 or 6, oblong, concave, colored within ; corolla of numerous 

 small petals furrowed externally, and inserted with the numerous, trun- 

 cated, linear stamens on the torus ; stigma discoid, with prominent 

 rays ; pericarp many-celled, many-seeded. H Aquatic. Lvs. oval or 

 oblong, sagittate-cordate. 



1 N. advena Ait. YELLOW POXD LILY. Lvs. floating or erect, with rounded, 

 diverging lobes at base, petioles half-round; sep. 6; petals OO; stig. 12 15-rayed, 

 margin slightly repand. Very common in sluggish streams and muddy lakes, 

 Can. to Ga., "W". to Oregpn. A well-looking and very curious plant, but from 

 its filthy habits it has been called, with justice, the frog lily. The rhizome is 

 large, creeping extensively. Lvs. large, dark green, shining above, and when 

 floating, pale and slimy beneath. Petioles half round. Fls. rather large and 



