NYMPHiEACEA 1 . 



27 



Carpels numerous, but either imbedded into the receptacle, or 

 combined together so as to form a single ovary with many cells, 

 each terminating in a sessile stigma. Seeds albuminous, in the 

 British genera, with a very small embryo. 



Waterlilies, although not numerous in species, are to be found float- 

 ing on shallow, still, or gently running waters, in almost all parts of the 

 world. They form an exceedingly natural group, of which several are 

 in cultivation in our hothouses, including the gigantic Victoria, from 

 tropical America, and the elegant Nelumbo, from tropical Asia. 



Sepals greenish outside, about the size of the outer (white) 



petals 1. Nympilea. 



i yellow, concealing the much smaller petals .... 2. Nuphar. 



I. KYMPHiEA. NYMPH2EA. 



Sepals about 4, like the outer petals, but greenish outside. Carpels 

 numerous, imbedded in the thick receptacle so as to form as many cells, 

 radiating from a common centre, whilst the petals and stamens are at- 

 tached to the outside of the receptacle, nearly as high as the top of the 

 cells. Stigmas as many as the cells, radiating on the surface of the 

 ovary, each one extended into an erect, incurved, linear appendage, 

 whilst the centre of the flower is occupied by the small conical summit 

 of the receptacle. Fruit slightly pulpy, indehiscent. 



This genus, generally spread over the globe, includes the greater 

 number of the species of the Order, with white, blue, or red flowers. 



1. White Nymphsea. Nymphsea alba, Linn 

 (Eng. Bot. t. 160. White Waterlily) 



Leaves deeply cordate, glabrous, 

 usually about 6 or 8 inches in diameter. 

 Flowers lying on the surface of the 

 water, white, scentless, usually 3 to 4 

 inches in diameter. 



In lakes or still waters, and slow rivers, 

 extending all over Europe and northern 

 and central Asia, although absent from 

 particular localities. Generally distri- 

 buted in Britain. Fl. summer. It may 

 be occasionally seen with smaller flowers, 

 and several varieties have been distin- 

 guished by minute but uncertain cha- 

 racters, in the forms of the anthers and 

 stigmatic appendages. 



(Fig. 33.) 



