WATER-LILIES 87 



N. M. flammea. Truly beautiful, with its vinous 

 stamens and white petals flaked with red. The colour- 

 ing varies somewhat in different plants, but is always 

 distinct and vivid. 



N. M. ignea. The petals of this variety are of a rich 

 crimson hue, forming a marked contrast to the orange 

 stamens and rose-tipped sepals. A plant or two should 

 be in every collection. 



N. M. rubro-punctata. The large flowers at first 

 sight appear a reddish carmine, revealing on closer 

 inspection dehcately marbled petals, and sepals stained 

 with lilac, with an olive-green backing. The stamens 

 are orange-red. 



The foregoing are the giants of the race, and require for 

 their perfect development ample space and a good depth 

 of water — not less than five feet. Growth is so robust 

 that it is useless to cramp them in small ponds. 



For those whose water gardens are restricted in size, 

 the Laydekeri section offers many charming forms. In 

 shallow pools, fountain basins, and tanks they display 

 their beauty to great advantage. 



N. Laydekeri fulgens. A small but glorious flower. 

 On a sunny day the glowing amaranth cups, each holding 

 a bunch of fiery stamens, form a picture not easily 

 surpassed. 



N. Laydekeri fulva. The leaves are mottled with 

 brownish patches ; the flowers a warm cream, marked 

 with red. 



N. Laydekeri liliacea. This is quite a small lily, 

 scarcely more than two inches in diameter when fully 

 expanded. The stamens are yellow and the petals a 

 silvery lilac. It is one of the daintiest in the whole group. 



N. Laydekeri purpurata. Deep, rosy-crimson petals, 

 with clusters of vivid orange-scarlet stamens. The 

 flowers are particularly well shaped. 



N, Laydekeri lucida. This is a splendid variety. 



