108 
THE LADIES' FLORAL CABINET. 
THE EGYPTIAN LOTUS. 
(Nelumbium Speoiosum.) 
The Yellow Lotus (Nelumbium luteurn). has, through 
.ignorance.oftenbeen called the Egyptian Lotus. Buthow 
can a plant be Egyptian, which is not found in Egypt, but 
is a]native of America? It is a noble plant, and well worthy 
of cultivation, but Nelumbium speciosum is greatly supe¬ 
rior in the beauty of its flowers. There appears to be some 
uncertainty among antiquarians as to what plant should 
receive the title, Egyptian Lotus. It has been given to 
the’blue and the white Nymphaea’s, or Water Lilies, 
which grow in the river Nile. The Lotus of the Lotus- 
eaters, is said to be the fruit of a tree which grew in 
Northern Africa. Nelumbium speciosum, though rare 
away from its native country, lias a remarkable histoiy 
extending back to remote antiquity. One botanist and 
biblical student believes that the Lily of the Old Testa¬ 
ment was this plant. There seems to be no doubt that 
it once grew in the Nile. The “ Treasury of Botany’’ 
states that “ Herodotus describes the plant with toler¬ 
able accuracy, comparing the receptacle of the flower to 
a wasp's nest.” Other ancient writers mention the 
plant as a native of Egypt. Not only was it a sacred 
plant among the ancient Egyptians, but it is to-day 
held in reverence by the Hindoos and Chinese, and is, I 
believe, now commonly considered by botanists and cul¬ 
tivators to be the true Egyptian Lotus. It is also culti¬ 
vated in Japan. 
Being a native of countries possessing a warm climate, 
it will be a surprise to many to know that it has proved 
perfectly hardy here, provided that its tubers are not 
exposed to actual freezing. I have cultivated it for 
