The leaves are almost a foot across and nearly circular in shape, divided into 5 or 9 wedge-shaped radiating parts which are often 2- (or more) lobed, and with as many main ribs as there are divisions; all the lesser ribs and veins are conspicuous in these highly ornamental leaves--they have shallow but sharp-pointed margins, and are rather thin in texture, smooth and glossy, and of a rich dark green color, whitened with bloom underneath. The stems are large and pale. The flower is formed of several wedge-shaped petals (6 to 9), firm and thick of texture, showing many fine-netted veins, and dull white in color; they spread and curve about the base of the prominent greenish seed-box, the large and conspicuous stamens forming a ring in the center. The flower, on a pale stem, grows from between the leaf-stems with a distinct inclination to one side. In bud the flower is enfolded by 3 temporary bracts,--the 6 calyx-parts also fall when the petals expand. The long rather oval fruit is found eatable by the uncritical palates of children. [Illustration: MANDRAKE: Podophyllum peltatum. Leaf about ⅓ life size.] WATER-LILY FAMILY. NYMPHÆACEÆ. *Yellow Pond-Lily.* _Nuphar advena._ *Cow Lily.* *Spatter-dock.* Found in still and shallow water from June to September. The leaves and flowers, on their long, smooth stems, rise to the surface of the water from the submerged root. The leaf is large (from 6 to 12 inches in length), of a long oval shape, heart-shaped at the base, and blunt-pointed at the tip, with an entire margin; its fibre is tough and leathery, and its surface exceedingly smooth and shining. Its color is a strong light green, lighter underneath. The stem is large and half-cylindrical; the leaf floats on the water, or rises above it. The large flower is almost spherical in form, with 6 large, rounded, concave, petal-like parts, somewhat unequal in size; the 3 smaller parts are green without, and a dull reddish-orange color within; the other 3 larger parts are yellow, with small green patches at the base. The large pistil is marked on the top with a 12- or 24-pointed star, the rays of which are yellow on an orange-red ground. The stamens are many, like loops of yellow ribbon which curl back and almost entirely fill the hollow flower-cup. The stem is large, round, and green, and the flower rises above the level of the water. A flower of primitive type; the combination of yellow and red in the star design of the pistil is suggestive of Egyptian color and design. The half-round leaf-stem with its flat grooved side is an unusual variation on the common form. [Illustration: YELLOW POND-LILY: Nuphar advena.] *Pond-Lily.* _Nymphæa odorata._ *Water Nymph.* Found in still, clear water in July. The flowers and leaves rise to the water’s level from the submerged root.