III. ORDER. THE WATER-LILY FAMILY. 



" There the bright "Water-Lilies blow, 



There stems with gorgeous blossoms crown' d 



'Mid shield-like leaves, that float around." BP. MANT. 



THE Third Order must have our particular attention, 

 for it contains the " Queen of our Water-flowers," and 

 the largest, and most beautiful of all our wild-flowers ! 

 We must procure both flower and seed-vessel, if pos- 

 sible ; and the plant is not uncommon in " Lakes and 

 still waters." The structure of the whole plant is 

 beautiful and singular. 



[III. Order. WATEE-LILY FAMILY. (Nymphacese.) 



Sepals, about 5, often gradually passing into the numerous 

 petals, and these again, into stamens, which arise from a 

 fleshy disk, surrounding, more or less entirely, the many- 

 celled, and many-seeded Ovary. Stigma, target-shaped 

 (peltate) rayed. Seeds, in a gelatinous case, (aril.) Albumen 

 farinaceous, Embryo, enclosed in a membranous bag. Coty- 

 ledons leafy, (foliaceous.) Aquatic plants, with target-shaped, 

 (PI. II. 14. P.,) or heart-shaped leaves, and magnificent flowers. 



