13 6 NYMPH/AA ODORATA.— SWEET-SCENTED WATER-LILY. 
lake in Sweden is thought by the horticultural papers to bea 
great and valuable novelty. Another white species of the old 
world, WV. dendata, also has a red variety, so it would seem that we 
may look for these dark variations in any light-colored species. 
The pond-lily is not only famous in poetry and in popular 
history, but in its more matter-of-fact character has much to be 
proud of. Dr. Riddell, a famous botanist of the past generation, 
says: “The Nymphaea odorata grows in Lake Champlain, and its 
juice is good against inflammations, burns, scalds; and the seeds 
are good in thirst, vomitings, and diarrhceas.” 
Rafinesque says that “its properties are similar to the 
Nymphea alba of Europe, but much more effective and 
decided. The roots are chiefly used, and are kept in shops in 
New England.” Of its peculiar composition, he says it has 
“starch, mucilage, sugar, resin, ammonia, ulmine, and_ tartaric 
acid,” and amongst its powers is that of “dyeing of a dark- 
brown and black color with iron.” He says further that the 
“leaves are excellent food for cows and cattle,’ and that “in 
Canada they are eaten in the spring boiled for greens.” And 
the ladies will be glad to know that “the fresh juice of the roots, 
mixed with lemon-juice, is said to be a good cosmetic, and to 
remove pimples and freckles from the skin.” 
It is remarkable how large a number of popular names the 
water-lily has received. In the middle ages it was known in 
different places in Europe as Swamp-weed, Swamp-poppy, 
Venus’ Club, Venus’ Finger, Hercules’ Club, Water-can, and 
Water-socks. In our country, according to Rafinesque, our 
species has been known as Toad-lily, Cow-cabbage, and Water- 
cabbage. . 
Of the European form, Linnzeus noted that the flower raised 
itself cut of the water and expanded about seven o’clock in the 
morning, and was fully closed again about four in the afternoon, 
EXPLANATIONS OF THE PLATE.—I. 2. Flower and unopened bud of the common white form. 
3. Opening bud of the rose-colored variety, from a specimen furnished by Mr. Jackson 
Dawson. 
