136 
THE FLORIST AND 
ESSAY ON THE CULTURE OF THE NELUMBIUM. 
Every one knows tlie beautiful flowers of Nymphcea alba and Nwpliar 
luteum, indigenous plants growing spontaneously in all the lakes, ponds and 
marshes of the west of France, which they ornament during all the warm 
season with their beautiful foliage and flowers. But although very remark- 
ble, what are they, compared with the numerous varieties of Nelumhium of 
New Holland, China, the Caspian Sea, of India and of North America ? 
Although figured and described by travelers and by ancient and modern 
botanists, the cultivation of Nelumhiuras, so worthy of the care of ama- 
teurs, has not passed the threshold of the aquaria of Belgium, England and 
. the other large botanic gardens of Europe ; the attempts at open air culture 
has completely failed; having undergone myself hard experience during 
more than ten years. Nevertheless, by dint of care, perseverance,, patience, 
of new attempts without cessation, my efforts have been successful beyond 
expectation ; I have come to consider the genus Nelumbiwn, as hardy and as 
easily cultivated in the open air as our most common aquatic plants. My 
collection of this kind is, I believe, at this time without a rival, and for 
many years, it has been in the finest state of vegetation, notwithstanding 
the pernicious atmospheric influences which we have experienced for some 
time ; enormous leaves like shields elevate themselves majestically above 
the water^ flower-buds show themselves on all sides; while I am writing 
this, a seed of the variety Novae HoUandiae, shows for the first time its 
