370 Flowering of the Victoria Regia. 



May 30 — The 21st leaf appeared and measured, matured, 

 53 inches in diameter. This leaf had the salver 

 edge, and all that have followed it have, measuring 

 2 to 3| inches deep. 

 June 6 — The 22d leaf appeared and measured, matured, 

 55 inches in diameter. 



12 — The 23d leaf appeared and measured, matured, 

 57 inches in diameter. 



20 — The 24th leaf appeared and measured, matured, 

 60 inches in diameter. 



26 — The 25th leaf appeared and measured, matured, 

 64 inches in diameter. During the past few days 

 there has been a great increase in the crown of the 

 plant, its diameter appearing to be 5 or 6 inches, 

 indicating the approach of a flower bud. 

 July 3 — The 26th leaf appeared and measured, matured, 

 66 inches in diameter. The bud was visible to- 

 day, just emerging from the scale or crown of the 

 plant. 



10 — The 27th leaf appeared and measured, matured, 

 68 inches in diameter. The flower bud fast 

 coming up, with the 28th leaf just beneath it. 

 On the 13th of July, just six months from the 

 seeds vegetating, this bud reached the surface 

 of the water ; on the 14th it projected 2| inches 

 above it, and measured on the 15th 5 by 3| inch- 

 es, without the calyx. The past three days the 

 bud has, towards evening, gradually settled down 

 under the water, but has been found early in the 

 morning, standing erect again out of the water. 

 On the 15th a second bud was seen approaching 

 the surface, and the calyx lobes began to open, and 

 to show the white petals. 

 18 — The 28th leaf appeared, not yet matured ; the 21st 

 a third leaf was visible to-day, and a second bud 

 reached the surface, and in the afternoon withdrew 

 under the water, as the first had done. At 11 A. M., 

 this day, the calyx lobes of the first bud commenced 



