287 
According to G. Watt, M.B., C.M., in the Economic plants of 
India, “ The flowers are used as a dry and cold astringent in diarrhoea, 
cholera, fever and diseases of the liver and are also recommended as 
a cardiac tonic. The powdered root is prescribed for piles as a de- 
mulcent, also for dy sen try and dyspepsia. The seed forms a cooling 
medicine for cutaneous diseases, leprosy, and are considered an 
antidote for poisons. ” 
In some distiicts of India, all parts of the plant are eaten by the 
natives as articles of food “ The roots, which contain a large 
quantity of starch, are usually boiled though sometimes eaten raw * 
the stems are cooked in curries; the unripe fruit is eaten as a 
vegetable and the seeds are parched.” 
A. L. dentata:—K lovely variety of Nymphaeas having very large, 
pure white flowers from 6 to 14 inches in diameter. Leaves peltate’ 
very large and serrated at the margins. A very floriferous variety 
and one of the easiest to cultivate. 
N. stellata (starry) .-—Flowers blue and delicately scented, florifer- 
ous. Leaves peltate, nearly entire. Tropical Africa. 
N. S. zanzibarensis Zanzibar:— One of most beautiful of all the 
Nymphaeas. Flowers intense blue, anthers slightly shaded with 
violet; sepals green outside and purple within. 
There are now many varieties of Nymphaeas, the following being 
among the choicest : — 
Deaniana, flowers rosy-pink, large; leaves bronzy; vigorous and 
free. Kewensis, flowers bright rosy-red, shading of lighter towards 
the base of the petals, large and freely produced. 
O Marana, flowers bright rosy-red; leaves bronzy, deeply! toothed 
at margins; free. 
Sturtevantii, flowers bright rosy-red, cup-shaped, large and broad- 
petaled ; leaves bronzy and the upper surface deeply toothed at the 
margins ; shy flowerer but a beautiful variety. 
Thermalis, flowers white, with a pink tinge, faintly scented. 
Pulcherrima , flowers light blue, remaining a long time expanded 
vigorous and free. 
Ouviranda, N. O. Naidaceas ;— A small genus of curious rare 
and 'singularly beautiful plants, both in colour and structure ; natives 
of Madagascar. The graceful leaves, q or 10 inches long and 2 or 3 
inches broad, rise on slender stilks, and spread out hoiizontally just 
beneath the surface of the watrr and resemble a Jiving fibrous skeleton 
rathei than a perfect leaf. The flower-stalk rises from the centre of 
the leaves and the fork-like inflorescence is curious. 
