Flora Medica

NYMPH^ACEJE.ternal somewhat abortive. Capsule the size of a small apple, with 16cells and membranous dissepiments. Seeds horizontal or deflexed,obovate, red, marked with rows of small dots, surrounded as far asthe base with a white cup-shaped arillus, and enveloped in a gelatinousgluten. Root-stock astringent, styptic, and slightly narcotic. Ithas been prescribed in dysentery, and is occasionally chewed by singersto relieve the relaxation of the uvula.51. N. odorata Willd. sp.pl ii. 1153. Bot. Mag.t. 819.Bot. Eepos.t. 297. Bigelow med. Bot. ii. t. 55. Rivers andponds in the United States.Petioles somewhat semicircular, perforated throughout by long tubesor air-vessels which serve to float them. Leaves floating, peltate,nearly round, with a cleft or sinus extending to the centre. The lobeson each side prolonged into an acute point ; bright glossy green above,reddish beneath, and marked by a multitude of strong prominent veinsdiverging from the centre. Sepals 4, lanceolate, green without, andwhite within. Petals numerous, lanceolate, of a delicate whiteness,with sometimes a tinge of lake on the outside. Stamens numerous,yellow, in several rows ;filaments dilated, especially the outer ones, soas to resemble petals. Anthers in 2 longitudinal cells growing to thefilaments, and opening inwardly. Stigma with from 12 to 24 rays, verymuch resembling abortive anthers, at first incurved, afterwards spreading.At the centre is a solid hemispherical protuberance. Stemsextremely astringent, and sometimes used in the composition of poultices,answering a purpose similar to that of lead poultices and alumcurds. Bigelow.EURYALE.Calyx prickly, superior, 4-cleft. Petals numerous, spreading,diminishing towards the centre, not changing into stamens.Stamens numerous, in several rows, obtuse, with oval anthers.Ovary 6 8-celled; cells 5-seeded. Stigma concave, distinct,6 8-rayed, with asmany notches. Fruit baccate, covered withthe decaying sepals and petals;many seeded, arillate.52. E. ferox Salisb. ann. bot. 2. 73. DC. prodr.i. 114-.Anneslea spinosa Bot. rep.x. t. 618. Roxb. fl.ind. ii. 573.Lakes and ponds in the country east of Calcutta.Leaves floating, peltate, orbicular or oval, from 1 to 4 feet in diameter,slightly prickly above, very much so and bright purple beneath,with projecting anastomosing veins ; petioles and peduncles armedwith stiff straight prickles. Flowers small. Calyx armed externallywith recurved prickles. Petals a light blue violet. Berry the size ofan orange, swelling irregularly, containing about 20 seeds enveloped ina complete, fleshy, rose-coloured aril. Seeds farinaceous ;much eatenby the natives when roasted or rather baked. The Hindoo physiciansconsider them possessed of powerful medicinal virtues, such as restrainingseminal gleets, invigorating the system, &c. Roxb. 20