NATIVE WILD FLOWERS 
ful work, “sought out only by those who have pleasure 
therein.’’* 
The roots of the Water-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 
dressings for blisters. 
The Lotus of Egypt belongs to this family, and not only 
furnished magnificent ornaments with which to crown the 
heads of the gods and kings, but the seeds also served as. 
food to the people in times of scarcity. The Sacred Lotus, 
or Lily of the Nile (Nymphea Lotus), found veneration with 
the ancient Egyptians. 
“ Lotus-eaters,”’ says Dr. Lee, “not only abound in Egypt, 
but all over the East.” “The large fleshy roots of the 
Nelumbium luteum, or great Yellow Water-lily, found 
in our North American lakes, resemble the Sweet Potato 
(Batatas edulis), and by some of the natives are esteemed 
equally agreeable and wholesome,” observes the same 
author, “ being used as food by the Indians, as are the roots 
of another species, Neluwmbiwm speciosum, by some of the 
Tartar tribes.” 
The people of China, in some parts of that over-populated. 
country, grow Water-lilies upon their lakes for the sake 
of the nourishment yielded by the roots and seeds. 
As yet little value has been attached to our charming 
White Water-lily, because its uses have been unknown. It 
* In that singular plant, the Eel or Tapegrass—Vallisneria spiralis (L)—a plant indi- 
genous to our slow-flowing waters, the elastic stem which bears the pistillate flowers. 
uncoils to reach the surface of the water ; about the same time the pollen-bearing flowers, 
which are produced at the bottom of the water on very short scapes, break away from 
the confining bonds that hold them, and rise to the surface, where they expand and 
scatter their fertilizing dust upon the fruit-bearing flowers which float around them ; 
after awhile the stems coil up again and draw the pod-like ovary down to the bottom, 
there to ripen and perfect the fruit. 
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