44 THE WATER- LILY FAMILY. 



2. Genera. 

 1. WHITE WATER-LILY. 2. YELLOW WATER-LILY. 



WHITE WATER-LILY. Nymphsea alba. 



Petals and stamens inserted upon a fleshy disk or covering 

 to the ovary, so as to rise apparently from it. Berry, many- 

 celled, and many-seeded. Leaves, heart-shaped, entire, (of 

 one piece, without divisions). Stigma, of 16 ascending rays. 

 Named Nymphaea, from inhabiting the waters : as the Nymphs 

 or Naiads were wont to do.] 



If you wish to keep any of the flowers in water, you 

 must observe that the flowers touch the water: for the 

 stalk is formed to hold air, and will not convey water 

 to the flower : but being filled with air, the stalk is 

 made so buoyant, as to support the flower above the 

 water. " But when the flower has shed its calyx and 

 petals, and the seed-vessel has ripened its seeds ; the 

 stalk cannot support its increased weight ; (deprived of 

 the aid of the sepels and petals also) nor is it needed, 

 for the seed-vessel must now deposit its seeds on the 

 soil, at the bottom of the lake. The globes then 

 decompose into a gelatinous mass, and the disengaged 

 seeds become deposited therein. If the bed of the 

 lake or river, be rich in soil, the vegetable decom- 

 position serves to enrich it still more : if pebly, the 

 gelatinous mass, forms a nucleus around the seeds, in 

 which they may quickly germinate. When this is 



