NYMPHiEACE^E. 



119 



and oftentimes fragrant flowers. They are principally found in the northern 

 hemisphere, but also in South Africa, and one genus in South America. 



The various species of Nymphcea, have been considered, from the earliest 

 ages to be anaphrodisiac, sedative, and even narcotic, and their virtues have been 

 celebrated by poets and naturalists, but more modern experience has shown 

 that instead of being endowed with these properties, the roots of these plants 

 are nutritious and even stimulating. According to Pallas, they are used as 

 food by the Tartars ; and analysis has proved that their principal consti- 

 tuents are fecula, tannin, gallic acid, &c. Nor are their hypnotic qualities 

 better established, and their supposed good effects in affections of the genital 

 organs, dysentery, &c, may be attributed to their styptic and astringent 

 properties. In this country the roots of the IV. odoraia are sometimes used 

 in emollient cataplasms, and in South America, the seeds of the Victoria form 

 a favourite article of diet, as do those of the Euryale in China. Fee states 

 that the roots of the IV. alba may be used for tanning, and for dyeing a gray 

 colour. The leaves of the Nuphar are, said to be styptic ; but in a dried 

 state are used in Sweden to feed cattle. 



Belonging to this 

 group are the orders Fig. 70. 



Cabombacece and Ne- 

 lumbiacece. The first 

 of these contains the 

 Brasenia purpurea, a 

 native of the United 

 States, and used as an 

 astringent demulcent in 

 pectoral and bowel dis- 

 eases. The plant is 

 scentless but somewhat 

 bitter, and abounds in 

 mucilage. It appears 

 to possess much the 

 same properties as the 

 Iceland moss, and might 

 be used as a substitute 

 for it. 



The order Nelum- 

 biacece has been cele- 

 brated from the most 

 remote antiquity. The 

 Asiatic species were 

 considered as holy, and 

 by the Hindoos were 

 supposed to be the first 

 plants that appeared. 

 They were equally ve- 

 nerated in Egypt, their 

 flowers being the my- 

 thic lotus so frequently represented on the monuments of India and 

 Egypt, and the fruit believed to have been the sacred bean of Pythagoras. 

 The roots of all the species are edible ; and are much used in China, for 

 although they are somewhat acrid when raw," they become bland and nutri- 

 tious when cooked. Those of the IV. luteum are said by Nuttall to resemble 

 the sweet potato in taste, and are a favourite article of food among some 



B. purpurea. 



