270 



MANUAL OF BOTANY 



flattened torus [Nelumbium). Stigmas either distinet or 

 tiniting into an epigynous disc. Ovules anatropous, or in 

 Barclaya orthotropous, distributed over the surface of the 

 dissepiments of the ovary, or pendulous from the central suture 

 or the apex of the carpels when the latter are distinct. Seeds 

 albuminous, with endosperm and perisperm, or exalbuminous ; 

 arillate or naked. 



The order is divided into the following sub-orders : — 



Sub-order 1. Cabombea. — Segals and petals 3. Carpels 3. 



Ovules few. Flowers small. 

 Sub-order 2. NymplicBce. — Sepals 4—6. Petals and stamens co. 



Carpels numerous, coherent. Ovules oo. Flowers generally 



showy. 

 Qvih-oxdier Z.NeluvihonecB. — Sepals 4 — 5. Petals and stamens oo. 



Carpels sunk in a fleshy torus. Ovules 1 — 2. Seeds 

 exalbumiiious. 



Distribution. — The plants of this order are chiefly found in 



Fig. 1029. 



Fig. 1030. 



Fig. 1031. 



J'l'l/. 1039. Mow er of Yellow Water-lily (A'lipliur 



luteum). Fi(/. 1030. Ovary of Nuphar with 



luimerous radiating stigmas. Fig. 1031. 



Vertical section of tbe seed of yirmp/toea 

 alba, showing the embryo embedded in eudo- 

 si erm, outsidewhichliesamassof jeri^perm. 



quiet waters throughout the whole of the northern hemisphere 

 and more sparingly in the southern. Illustrative Genera : — 

 Wctoria,, Lindl. ; 'tiymphada,, Linn. ; Cahombai, Aubl. ; Nelumbium. 

 There are 8 genera and 35 species. 



This order is distinguished from the others of the Eanales by 

 the seeds usually containing both endosperm and perisperm. 

 The NymphsEse approach the Papaveraceae in their placentation, 

 but differ in the contents of the seed, and in their habit. The 

 character of the seeds is almost the only distinction between 

 Cabomba and the Eanunculacese. 



Properties and ?7ses.— These plants have bitter and 

 astringent properties. The flowers are said to be narcotic. 



