^ Flowering of the Victoria Regia. 371 



unfolding ; at 4, P. M., the petals, a pure white, fol- 

 lowed slowly, and from 5 to 6, they rapidly opened, 

 showing the flower in its first, and, in my estima- 

 tion, most beautiful state. It remained in this con- 

 dition till after 6 the next morning. 

 July 22 — The flower, soon after 7, A. M., began to change, 

 the white or outer petals expanding widely, show- 

 ing the centre ones, tinged or spotted with crimson, 

 and measuring at one time 13 inches. At 11 these 

 outer petals began to close, and at 12, M., all but 

 the calyx lobes and one row of the petals had closed 

 loosely. From 4 to 6, P. M., it again opened, and 

 exhibited the inner and crimson staminate petals. 

 At 6 30 to 7, P. M., the opening was complete, but 

 the outer petals were somewhat wilted. At 9, 

 P. M., the interior petals or stamens changed to a 

 golden hue, and at this moment it was very beauti- 

 ful. On the morning of the 23d it was closed 

 loosely. 



The account by Mr. Cope of the flowering and growth of 

 his, the first Victoria Regia grown in this country, may be 

 found in the Horticulturist, Vol. VI, (page 460.) It will be 

 noticed on comparison, that the bud followed the 27th leaf, 

 and with the 28th, in both plants. The salver or up-turned 

 edge to the leaf, appeared at an earlier period on my plant, 

 which I attribute to growing it at a lower temperature of the 

 water. My plant vegetated at midwinter, and, as no arti- 

 ficial heat was applied to the water after the first of June, its 

 progress may be considered as satisfactory. A greater degree 

 of heat, and a temperature of not less than 78° at night, both 

 to the air and water, would give a more rapid vegetation. 

 Under my treatment, every seventh day a leaf bud has 

 reached the top of the water ; a higher temperature would 

 cause this to be effected every fourth or fifth day. With the 

 cold east winds that we are subject to in Salem, the mercury 

 in the lily house, at 6, A. M., has, day after day, the past 

 month, been as low as 60 and 62°, with the temperature of 



