ONE OF NATURE’S WONDERS.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 22, Issue 92, 28 November 1911, Page 2

ONE OF NATURE’S WONDERS.

+ The Victoria Regia water-lily is sown in the gardens of the Royal Botanic Society each February, in a spot set in a small tank. In

March, when it has three leaves 4 inches in diameter, it is planted out. Towards the end of September the leaves are seven feet or so in diameter, and will support a man weighing over ten stone. The lily is rooted in a six-foot square of rich soil in the centre of the tank. In good years there may be anything between 30 and 50 flowers at var-

ious periods. The life of full bloom is two days. The expanded flower is almost a foot in diameter. A full grown plant with eleven leaves may cover an area of about 500 square feet. The Victoria Regia is a native of still waters, from Paraquay to Venezuela.

Our three illustrations are taken from the “Illustrated London News."

No. 1 sketch shows (a) seed of the Victoria Regia; (b) sections of a seed ; (c) a germinating seed ; (d) section of a germinating -seed. , No. 2 sketch shows the Victoria Regia a* the age of from three to four months ; a Victoria Regia in full leaf. No. 3, a leaf about seven feet ir diameter bearing a man without sinking appreciably.