ON AQUATIC PLANTS. 



917 



five o'clock in the afternoon ; the outer petals are then reflexed, 

 and some of them are faintly tinged with pink, while the central 

 ones (that were not exposed on the previous day) are disclosed, and 

 are of a deep rosy-red. The peduncle and the ovary are densely 

 covered with sharp prickles. This remarkable Aquatic first flowered 

 in Europe, at Chatsworth, on November 8th and 9th, 1849, and 

 five days later (November 14th) it is stated that the then Duke of 

 Devonshire had a leaf and a flower conveyed to Queen Victoria, 

 at Windsor. There are but few recognised varieties in cultiva- 

 tion, and these differ principally in the colour of the flowers on 

 the second day of opening, or in the depth of the upturned 

 margin of the leaves. The first one on record was discovered 

 and introduced from Brazil by Mr. Ed. S. Rand; he sent 

 seeds of it to Mr. Sturtevant, of New Jersey, in whose establish- 

 ment it first flowered under cultivation in 1886, and by whom 

 it was distributed under the name of V. r. Randii. This has 

 leaves of a dark bronzy-green, with the upturned margin of 

 greater depth than in the type ; the colour of the flowers is also 

 much deeper. Another well-marked form is known as Dixon's 

 variety, and this originated with Abraham Dixon, Esq., Cherkley 

 Court, Leatherhead, who has for many years taken a foremost 

 place in the successful cultivation of Aquatics, and has formed 

 a very complete collection of them. Dixon's variety is remarkable 

 for the size of the leaves and the depth of the marginal rim, as 

 well as for the deep, rich colouring of the flowers. Another 

 form, recognised as Tricker's variety (which originated w^ith 

 Mr. Tricker, of New Jersey, an enthusiastic specialist), has 

 very distinguishing characters, and is a desirable variety 

 The plant is very floriferous and of vigorous growth, with 

 large leaves, of a bright green colour on the upper surface, 

 and the marginal rim very deep. It is also remarkable in that 

 the leaves on young plants assume the turned-up margin at a 

 very early stage. It is interesting to note that these varieties 

 retain their distinctive characters when raised from seed. 



EuRYALE FEROX is an interesting plant native of India and 

 China, the genus being monotypic and closely allied to 

 Victoria. The species is of annual duration, and, before the 

 discovery and introduction of the Royal Water Lily, was 

 distinguished as being the largest and most ornamental-leaved 

 floating Aquatic in cultivation. Its large, handsome, peltate 

 leaves are nearly orbicular in shape, dark green on the upper 

 surface, and of a rich deep purple on the under-side ; they 

 measure on strong-growing plants about 3ft. in diameter, and are 

 furnished beneath w^ith numerous prominent cellular ribs. Unlike 

 the Victoria, the margins of the leaves are rimless and distinctly 

 bullate (puckered) on the upper surface, and are beset with sharp, 

 curved spines on both surfaces. The flowers, which are exceedingly 

 small in comparison with the size of the plant, are of a deep 



