By William Kent, Esq. 



21 



Of the second genus there are twelve species. 

 1. Nymphcea alba: a native of Britain; growing in ponds 

 and streams; abounding in the river Roding, about three 

 miles on this side of Ongar in Essex; with large, heart- 

 shaped, floating leaves ; bearing beautiful white flowers (with 

 numerous petals) which also lie upon the surface of the water; 

 flowers through the summer months. Figured in English 

 Botany, Plate 160. 



2. Nymphcea odorata: from North America; grows in 

 ponds and flowing streams ; it thrives best with us in shallow 

 water, from six to twelve inches in depth ; in habit and man- 

 ner of growth, very much like N. alba, but on a smaller 

 scale ; the flowers are sweet-scented, and are produced during 

 great part of the summer. Introduced in 1786, and is figured 

 in the Botanical Magazine, Plate 819, and in Andrews's 

 Repository, Plate 297. 



3. Nymphcea odorata, var. minor : from North America ; 

 growing in the neighbourhood of New York ; it is principally 

 to be distinguished from the former by the smaller size of 

 its leaves, which are also of a deep red purple underneath ; 

 it flowers about the same time, but does not bloom so readily. 

 Introduced by Mr. Pursh, in 1812, and is figured in the 

 Botanical Magazine, Plate 1652. 



4. Nymphcea nitida : a native of Siberia; very nearly 

 related to N. odorata, from which it differs most materially 

 in the form of the root, which grows perpendicularly while 

 that of N. odorata grows horizontally ; like the preceding 

 species, it has cordate floating leaves, and white flowers, 

 borne on the water, which blossom at the same season. 



