PLANTS OF ONEIDA COUNTY AND VICINITY. 185 



of one vertical at first, leaves so highly veined, a slight odor of flower, and 

 the usually incomplete arillus. So similar, however, is it to the latter, that it 

 seems to have been considered the same by Nuttall in the single locality he 

 records. The root-stalks prolong themselves indefinitely, yet only short por- 

 tions are vigorous supporting leaves and flowers, the old parts declining as 

 fast as the young ends increase. The tubers, too, attain a certain size, then 

 wait to be broken off or to be separated by decay. Their multiplication in 

 clusters occurs only on remaining tubers ; and all, if not by any cause removed, 

 when they have reached maturity, do not grow any larger, remaining inactive 

 until they die with the old root. But when liberated, they float about to some 

 new bank; as soon as striking it, shooting down rootlets and sending out their 

 already developed delicate submerged leaves, soon to be followed by others for 

 the surface. These tubers, somewhat resembling those of Helianthus tuberosus 

 or of Boussingaultia baselloides, are always present, sometimes few and 

 single, usually frequent and abundant : as many as thirty have been counted 

 on a section of rootstalk only six inches in length. By the slightest disturb- 

 ance, they loosen and rise to the surface, and can be secured in place only 

 by the greatest care in removal. The leaves would easily be recognized from 

 others by their shape and appearance, as well as by their peculiar venation 

 and remarkable size, largest in the bays of Lake Ontario, at Sodus bay 

 rivalling even those of Nelumbiurn luteum; in imitation of which, also, both 

 leaves and flowers rise high above the surface on stout stems in shallow water. 

 The flowers may truly be termed magnificent, but their odor is faint and 

 transient. The coiling of the flowerstems in deep water is more striking and 

 complete than in the scapes of Vallisneria spiralis, though not so uniform; 

 drawing the ovaries not only under water, but to the very ground; a habit 

 that will be verified by any success of obtaining fruit in autumn. The trunks 

 of this plant are soft and pliable, composed of a cellular or pithy substance 

 which is very astringent. Cattle devour its immense leaves, venturing far into 

 the water for them : in like manner, the deer of the north woods come down 

 from the hills to the lakes at night to feed on the lily-pads so abundant there. 



The Water-lily of "Western New-York and the Great Lakes. It has been 

 found : in St. Lawrence river, at Alexandria bay, Jefferson county: in Lake 

 Ontario; filling all marshes beyond the shore for miles northeast of Oswego, 

 where it was observed in 1861 ; in the bays of Wayne county, most abundant 

 in the channels at the head of Big Sodus bay; plentiful in Irondequoit bay, 

 throughout the swamps among the ends of ridges westward formed by streams 

 setting back against bars thrown up by the waves, marshes of Charlotte in 

 the mouth of the Genesee river, common in Round pond, Long pond, Cran- 

 berry pond, and Braddock's bay, Monroe county : in Niagara river below 

 Buffalo, by G.W.Clinton : in the Detroit river, by J.M.Bigelow : in 

 Western New-York; farthest east in Oneida lake, where it is abundant near 

 its head a little west of South bay, in marshes of Dianthera americana and 

 Scirpus lacustris ; all along the sides of Oswego river; frequent in the outlet 

 of Owasco lake, and occasionally in the lake itself; common in the marshes 

 of Cayuga river and lake; Clyde river through Wayne county; at Branch- 

 port, foot of Crooked lake, by Sartwell; in Canandaigua lake, more abun- 

 dant however in its old closed outlet; in Genesee river above Rochester, by 

 Dewey. 



Late-flowering; in the waters of Lake Ontario the flowers not appearing 

 until August, and abundant throughout September ; but inland earlier, July 

 and August. Frequent. 



To Nuphar kalmiana, the habitat : 



Common in the marshes of Oneida lake, in deeper water, farther out than 

 Nymphcea tuberosa. 



Before Chelidonium MjWUS, p. 59, the species : 



ARGEMONE, L. Prickly Poppy. 



MEXICANS, L. Mexican Argemone. 



Frequently spontaneous in cultivated grounds and waste lots in Auburn w 

 Cayuga county, I. H.Hall. July- September. 



To Nasturtium lacustre, p. 60, the range : 



Common in all inlets and bays along the southern shore of Lake Ontario, 

 [ Senate No. 90.] lg* 



