6 
BOTANIC AL INDEX 
we attempt to compare the two for analysis, our first idea is, “How unlike in general 
appearance.” 
Old botanical writers placed the Nymphcea and the Nuphar in one genus — the 
Nymphcea ; but as they often grouped together genera and families of plants for very 
indefinite reasons, we may reasonably suppose they were to a large extent uncertain 
of the true characters of the Nuphar, and placed it in the genus Nymphcea simply 
because there was no other place so appropriate for it. Be that as it may, we know 
they were placed there, and that an English botanistand traveler, Sibthorp, separated 
the Nuphar from the Nymphcea, and restored Dioscorides’ old Greek name, Neufar, 
which, however, is only the adoption of the Greek word Naufar, or Nyloufar, which 
again is the Arabic, or, as Prof. Gray tells us, the Egyptian pronunciation of the 
word for Water Lily. Perhaps we should say that modern botanists do not recognize 
any one as the author of a name for a family, genus, or even species of plants, who 
lived and wrote before 1682; and usually, botanical names do not date further back 
than Linnaeus, 1736. But the names given by Tournefort, Linnaeus, Magnol, the two 
Jusseus, Adanson, De Candolle, etc., are often those first applied by Aristotle, Mith- 
ridates, Dioscorides, Pliny, and others, some of which date back to the fourth century 
before the Christian era. It is a noble tribute to the memory of those old Greek and 
Roman naturalists for modern botanists to adopt their nomenclature; for although 
we now see many of their names were founded on false ideas, still there is something 
so grand and enchanting associated with those old heathen ideas, that all must 
acknowledge the aptness of the names. 
Of all the objects of creation, probably none have been so universally studied as 
the vegetable kingdom, and certainly none of the sciences have reached a higher 
point of perfection; indeed, it is quite doubtful if any science is so thoroughly 
mastered as the science of botany. Nearly all the old Greek and Roman botanical 
writers made the study of plants a special business from their desire to learn more 
of their medical properties, while a few studied the vegetable products of a country 
in connection with their geographical researches. Among all primitive nations, the 
study of plants for food, for medicine, for dyes, and other uses of luxury, or for the 
deadly poisons contained in their juices, has been a never ceasing occupation of 
mankind as far back as history records their occupation. When we wrote of the 
Nymphoeas ) in the last number of the Index, we had for a subject one of the choicest 
families of plants in the vegetable kingdom to talk about, and felt as though we would 
never tire of extolling their beauty; but now we have reached the other point of the 
extreme, and for a subject we have one of the most unpretentious of plants, or 
at least one of the most unattractive of flowers. Still they are quite desirable, and 
with other plants add a charm to a large aquarium or pond, particularly as aquatic 
plants that thrive under cultivation are so rare. 
It may seem superfluous to many to see so much time and space devoted to a genus 
of plants that are so common, and withal whose flowers are so devoid of beauty ; but 
before we pronounce judgment upon them let us examine their case a little. We will 
first make a list of the known species, upon the most liberal basis admissible, and 
afterwards receive the reproval of many for our liberality; for a strong doubt exists 
in the minds of many as to there being more than two species, viz : one, N. lutea, of 
Europe and Asia; the other, N. aclvena, of America. 
Species. 
Synonyms. 
Habitat. 
Col’r OP 
Floiy’k. 
Desc. 
Nuphar advena, Aiton. 
“ advena variegatum, Engelmann. 
“ Kalmium, Pursh. 
NympJuea, of old authors. 
North America. 
North America. 
North America. 
Y ellow. 
Yel. pur. 
Yellow. 
1739 
1866 
1803 
“ lideum , Smith. 
“ polysepalum , Engelmann. 
“ pumilum , Smith. 
“ sagittifolium , Pursh. 
Nymphcea , of old authors. 
Europe and Asia. 
Western U. S. A. 
Scotland and N. Am. 
Southern U. S. A. 
Yellow. 
Yellow. 
Yellow. 
Yellow. 
1542 
1865 
1800 
1789 
We will now notice each species or variety if you please, in detail. First is 
v NUPHAR AD VENA. Aiton. 
Leaves submerged, floating and erect, thick, glossy, roundish, ovate or almost 
oblong in outline; from 10 to 12 inches long, and 8 or 10 inches broad; sinus broad or 
V-shaped ; flowers globular, about 2 inches broad ; sepals, 6. 
NUPHAR ADVENA, VARIETY VARIEGATUH. Engelmann. 
Very similar to last, but with the sinus in the leaf closed or narrow ; flowers often 
partly purplish (hence the name), globular; sepals, 6. 
