i *6 A US TR A LI AX BOTANY. 



j 



November. In the neighbourhood of Sydney and farther 

 north the Loquat is a very common fruit, and ripens from 

 August to November. 



Lotus Lily.— NELUMBIUM SPECIOSUM. (Natural 

 Order. Nymph^ace/E.) P. 30. — An aquatic plant found in 

 Asia and Northern Australia — the Sacred Lily of India. The 

 large and magnificent rosy-pink flowers of this plant are 

 borne on stems which stand erect 2 or 3 feet above the 

 water. The leaves, which are peltate, and rather more than 

 1 8 inches in diameter, have long petioles, and stand up 

 parasol-like far above the flowers. The seeds are used as 

 food, both raw and cooked, by the Chinese ; they are 

 wholesome, as are also the roots, which are used for food in 

 India and by the natives of North Australia. It thrives in 

 stagnant or still water, and blooms well in the Sydney climate. 

 There are some magnificent specimens of this plant in the 

 ponds of the Brisbane Botanic Gardens. 



Lyonsia. — (Natural Order, Apocyxeje.) See chapter 

 'Australian Vegetation.' p. 80. 



M 



Magnolia. — (Natural Order, Magxoliace.e.) P. 30. 

 — This order contains some of the most gorgeous and 

 beautifully-flowered trees and shrubs. Several of the 

 Magnolias, from their brilliant inflorescence, are termed 

 Tulip Trees. There is one representative of the order 

 indigenous to Australia — the native Pepper Tree (Drimys 

 aromatica). Most of the Magnoliaceae succeed well in the 

 open air in Australia. 



Maiden-Hair Fern. — ADIANTUM ASSIMILE and 



