N.M ignea. The petals of this variety are of a rich crimson hue, forming a marked contrast to the orange stamens and rose tipped sepals. A plant or   two should be in every collection.

N.M.rubro-punctata. The large flowers at first sight appear a reddish carmine, revealing on closer inspection delicately marbled petals, and sepals stained with lilac, with an olive green backing. The stamens are orange-red.

The foregoing are the giants of the race, and require for their perfect development ample space and a good depth of water - not less than five feet. Growth is so robust that it is useless to cramp them in small ponds.

For those whose water gardens are restricted in size, the Laydekeri section offers many charming forms. In shallow pools, fountain basins, and tanks they display their beauty to great advantage.

N.Laydekeri fulgens. A small but glorious flower. On a sunny day the glowing amaranth cups, each holding a bunch of fiery stamens, form a picture not easily surpassed.

N.Laydekeri fulva. The leaves are mottled with brownish patches; the flowers a warm cream, marked with red.

N.Laydekeri liliacea. This is quite a small lily, scarcely more than two inches in diameter when fully expanded. The stamens are yellow and the petals a silvery lilac. It is one of the daintiest in the whole group.

N.Laydekeri purpurata. Deep, rosy crimson petals, with clusters of vivid orange-scarlet stamens. The flowers are particularly well shaped.

N.Laydekeri lucida. This is a splendid variety. The flowers are of a rich vermilion hue, with deeper shading towards the center; the petals tipped with white. The leaves are marbled with chestnut markings.

N.Laydekeri rosea. This hybrid is one of the most difficult to propagate, and is usually increased by seed­ing. The small, rosy flowers, passing to white at the petal ends, are produced in great abundance.

The following hybrids are deliciously fragrant and are suited to small tanks and tubs. 

N.odorata exquisita. A deep shade of rosy pink, becoming almost crimson at the base of the petals.

N.odorata minor. A small, white Lily, found in New Jersey

N.odorata caroliniana. The flowers of this hybrid are pale pink, the reputed parents being N.o.rosea and N.alba candidissima. Nivea, a white variety, and Per­fecta, with large, flesh-colored flowers, are other desir­able forms.

Where space permits, a plant or two of the following should be included in the collection. Though men­tioned last, they contain some of the finest Water Lilies in existence.

N.robinsoni. This is one of the best of M.Latour­-Marliac's raising. The flowers are large and of a deep rose or lustrous crimson color. The petals are suffused with white and the stamens are bright orange. It is quite distinct and exceptionally beautiful.

N.gloriosa. Generally considered one of the finest of the Marliacea productions. The color is a brilliant rose, and the possession of five sepals, instead of the customary four, gives a much greater spread to the fully opened flowers.

N.sanguinea. Deep carmine petals, with vivid orange-red stamens.

N .lucida. The petals shade from blush rose down to a soft, deep red at the base. The leaves are marbled with maroon. This is a particularly fine Lily.

Altogether humbler than the above, and yet possess­ing a charm of its own, the Nuphar family deserves mention. For wild water gardens containing mainly native plants, a patch of the common Yellow Water­ Lily (N.lutea) is effective. A smaller variety, known as Minima, occurs in Scotland . Much finer, and with bold, erect leaves, the North American Water Lily (N.advena) should be freely planted in ponds or lakes where the depth of water does not exceed three feet.