FXOWER OP VICTORIA REGIA : FIRST STAGE OP SECOND DAT 5 EXPANSION. 
coloured figures show the two last, and most distinct and beautiftd, stages, before the final closing of 
the blossoms, We understand that these changes have been obser\'ed, at Syon, to take place with 
remarkable regularity as regards the hour of the day at which the several stages of developement were 
reached. The flower first opens about five P.M., and is pure white (see p. 228) ; it continues expanded 
all night, closes about ten a.m. on the following day, and so remains till two p.m., when it begins again 
to expand ; about fom- o'clock, it has the appearance shown in the wood engraving given above ; 
between five and six, the stage shoiSTi by the coloured figui'e with the depressed crown is reached ; and 
towards seven, that represented by the other coloured figure ; in this state it continues until about ten 
P.M., when it finally closes. Although these several conditions are attained at about the houi's specified, it 
must be understood that the expansion goes on gradually, untU the full development has been reached. 
The blossoms we examined were about a foot in diameter, and six inches in height. 
One curious fact connected with the Victoria Water Lily is the extreme buoyancy of its large 
succulent foliage, occasioned by the presence of large air-cells in the thick ribs wliich cover like net- 
work the under surface, much aided no doubt by its large sm'face, and the deep pit-lilve recesses formed 
between the interlacing veins. A child seven or eight years of age is said to have been supported 
by a leaf of the Chatsworth plant. The weight was, however, in this instance, distributed by means 
of a piece of board laid on the leaf, and on which the child stood. 
Culture. — Mr. Ivison, the gardener at Syon, under whose clever management the plant has 
progressed in a way so entirely satisfactory, has favoured us with the following particulars as to the 
treatment he adopted, and its results. We need hardly mention that the atmosphere maintained was 
that of a tropical plant stove : — 
" The plant at Syon was received from Kew in the second week of September, 1849, being one of 
the number which was distributed about that time. It had then four leaves, the largest being about 
four inches in diameter. It was placed at once under similar treatment to that which was so successfully 
pursued with the Nelumbiums in these gardens some years back, the basis of which was a constant 
circulation of the water in which they were grown. This was effected by placing three tubs at difierent 
elevations. The upper one rested immediately over a hot water pipe. This warmed the water, which 
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