174 WATER-LILIES 



aquatic house; but lately we have broken 

 away from this tradition. A quadrangular 

 greenhouse is more economical in construction 

 and is really more convenient, as besides the 

 central main pond or tank its form allows 

 for the addition of numerous smaller tanks 

 which can be utilised for the growing of bog- 

 plants, floating aquatics, etc. 



The size of the largest houses which exist 

 at the present time is such as to give a floor 

 space of about 4,000 square feet. This is a 

 good size. Water plants never appear to 

 advantage when crowded together in a small 

 space, and moreover they require ample 

 room for their development. They are more 

 sensitive in this regard than terrestrial plants. 

 The Amazon water-lily {Victoria regia) is the 

 one species that may call for the special 

 house, and a building in which the width is 

 to the length as 8:13 will be of proper relation, 

 and the smallest tank that should be made.for 

 one plant is 20 x 20 feet. The arrangement 

 of the interior requires considerable foresight. 

 Convention places the large Victoria basin in 



