SWEET SCENTED WATER LILY. 69 



bavinff the rich odonr of froshlv cut lemons; tliev are set round tho 

 surface of tlic ovary (or seed-vessel) in regular rows, one above* the 

 ether, irraduallv lessenini:: in size, till thcv (dianu-c hv iuinerceotihle 

 [gradation into the narrow fleshy petal-like lemon tinted anthers. 

 The pistil is without style, the stigma forming a (hit rayed top to the 

 ovary, as in the poppy and many other plants. 



On the approach of night our lovely water-nymj)h gradually 

 closes her petals, and slowly retires to rest within her watery bed, 

 to rise on the following day, to court the warmth and light so 

 necessarv for the perfection of the embryo seed : and this continues 

 till the fertilization of the germ has been completed, when the 

 petals shrink and wither, and the seed-vessel sinks down to ripen 

 the fruit in its secret chambers. Thus silently and mysteriously does 

 nature perform her wonderful work, "sought out only by those who 

 have pleasure therein."'^ 



The roots of the Pond Lily contain a large quantity of fecula 

 (flour), which, after repeated washings, may be used for food ; they 

 are also made use of in medicine, being cooling and softening; the 

 fresh leaves are used as good dressit ^ for blisters. 



The Lotus of Egypt belongs to this family, and not only furnishes 

 ma«niificent ornaments with which to crown the heads of their gods 



♦ In tliat singular plant, the Eel or Tajegrajs, a jilant indigenous to our slow flowing watora, the clastic flower- 

 bearin;: stem uncoils to reach the surface of the water, drawn thither by some mysterious hidilen attraction towards 

 the I ollen-bearing fliwers, which are produced at the bottom of the water on very short scapes, and which, united 

 bv the same vegetable instinct, break away from the confining bonds that hold them and rise to the surface, where 

 tl'u'v expand and scatter their fertilizing dust upon the fruit-bearing flowers which float arouikd them ; these, aftera 

 while, coil up again and draw the pod-like ovary down to the bottom of the water, there to ripen and perfect the 

 fruit; a curious fact vouched for by Gray and many other creditable botanists. 



