The Egyptian Lotus. 



23 



Joan d'Arc Crinum. A handsome importation from the 

 orient is another form of the. odd . and beautiful spider lily, to 

 which the name Joan d'Arc has" been given in the Sandwich 

 Islands, where it is in cultivation. The flowers are beautiful and 

 usetul for cut flowers, delicately fragrant, white, most nearly re- 

 sembling Pancratium Calathinum. $1 



Amaryij^is 'Empress of China.' Another worthy oriental, 

 just imported to America, with most beautiful transparent car- 

 mine colored flowers, the throat of a lighter shade. The gentle- 

 man to whom we are indebted for this splendid plant speaks of it 

 in the most enthusiastic terms. $1 



THE EGYPTIAN LOTUS. 



The sacred lotus of India 

 and China (Nelumbium spe 

 ciosum) was cultivated in 

 Egypt in most ancient times. 

 The leaves of this wonderful 

 tropical plant grown in cul- 

 tivation, have measured 

 thirty inches across, on 

 stalks five and six feet 

 long, and with flower stalks 

 five to seven feet. 



The first day the flowers 

 appear like gigantic tea rose 

 buds, of a bright rosy color. 

 The second day they open 

 like a tulip, the base of the 

 petals being creamy white, 

 most beautifully and deli- 

 cately shading into bright 

 pink at the tips. When 

 ^BiHNc fully expanded the flowers 



measure ten to thirteen inches from tip to tip of petals, and 



are delightfully fragrant. 



Although a tropical plant, this has proved entirely hardy in 



this country, and gives pleasure to many a country home in 



America. When placed in a pond it spreads rapidly, being of a 



