4 



THE AMERICAN BOTANIST 



The peltate, orbicular leaves, the largest possessed by any of 

 our native plants, at first float flat upon the surface of the water 

 but later are raised by the growth of the stout petiole, to a few 

 feet above the water, when they assume a salver form and sway 

 in the wind. The upper surface, on which alone are the 

 stomata, is covered with a delicate down on which the dew col- 

 lects like tiny beads of quicksilver. It was the sight of this in 

 the morning that made the Thibetans exclaim, "Hail, Oh, Hail 

 the jewel oi the Lotus." 



The stem system, which has been carefully studied by a 

 number of botanists, forms an extensive network beneath the 

 slime. After the flowering season this becomes a rich food 

 reservoir stored with starch for the next year's growth. The 

 tubers thus formed are said to resemble sweet potatoes in taste 

 and have been prized as food by various natives. Chariton 

 county, Missouri, takes' its name from the Chariton river, 

 whose name, it is said, is derived from the Indian name for 

 Ncluinbluni, where the seeds and tubers of this plant were 

 utilized for food by the natives. 



Neither the seeds nor the tubers of our Ncliiinbiiun lutcum 

 are likely to attain the favor in modern diet which those of 

 N. spcciosuiii enjoyed in the balmy days of the lotus-eaters 



