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5. Anthelminticum BI. A very large aquatic plant, emitting long 
floating stolons, stem I inch through, creeping. Leaves erect 6 ft. or 
more, tall, 6 inches broad, swordshaped. In Sumatra this plant forms 
great floating masses and occasionally almost blocks the Siak River. 
Victoria, N. 0. Nymphaeaceae A monotypic genus, the species 
of which is one of the most remarkable productions of the Vegetable 
Kingdom. Probably no other plant has created such a stir among 
Botanists and Horticulturists as did the introduction of this plant to 
England in 1838. It is found growing in still or sluggish waters, 4 
to 6 feet deep, in Central America. In its native country the leaves 
are said to be large enough to enable a good-sized child to sit on the 
the upper surface of the leaf provided the weight is distributed over 
the whole of it. 
V. Regia, Lind., Queen Victoria’s Water Lily; Water maize; 
Water Platter The Root is perennial large and tuberous. Leaves 
usually floating, of prodigious size when well-grown, 4 to 6% feet in 
diameter (12 to 19 feet in circumference), peltate, flat, but having a 
margin of 2 to 5 inches broad which is turned up so to form an 
elevated rim like that of a tea tray. The upper surface of the leaf is 
full-green and reticulated ; the under side is deep purple (sometimes 
green) and copiously veined, beset with sharp and horny prickles. 
The peticles or leaf stalks are long and covered with sharp prickles. 
Flowers solitary on thick, prickly peduncles, in bud pear-shaped, 
when expanded fully I foot in diameter. The sepals are large, oval, 
purple-brown and prickly. The outer petals are white, the inner ones 
becoming deeply coloured with purple or full rose. 
The flowers on opening in the morning are practically pure 
white in colour, but before the day is finished they have changed to 
a lovely full-rose colour. 
The Victoria regia, as might be expected from its enormous size, 
requires a strong soil consisting largely of strong loam and plenty of 
decayed cowmanure. It delights in full sunshine in slow flowing 
water and requires frequent heavy mulchings of cowmanure. 
Propagation by seed, which require similar treatment to 
Nymphaeas. 
Jas. W. Anderson. 
Acorus calamus :—{Araceae) sweet flag, Jeringu grown from cut- 
tings of the rhizone suitable for pond edges— whole world. 
A gramineus A narrow leaved form— from China. 
Azolla : — A minute reddish aquatic floating on the water like a 
duckweed, suitable for aquaria — common in Singapore. 
