13
The following are the recorded stations for V. regia: Bolivia, at Rio Mamoré, upper tributary of the Amazons, found there by Haenke, about 1801, and some time afterwards seen by Bonpland; Igaripé, a branch of the Amazons, Poeppig (1832); Paranà and Riochuèlo rivers, province of Corrientes, on the frontier of Paraguay, D'Orbigny (1827); Rio Madeiras, near the sources of the Mamord, between the confluence of the rivers Apere and Tijamuche, province of Moxos, Bolivia, D'Orbigny (1832); Berbice river, British Guiana, Sir R. Schomburgk (1837): and also in the Rupununi, a tributary of the Essequibo[1] (1842); Bolivia, Rio Yacuma, tributary of the Rio Mamoré, Bridges (1844). The Mamoré is a tributary of the Amazons, as the Paraná is of the Rio Plata, and both consequently empty themselves into the Atlantic Ocean. It does not appear that the Victoria regia has been found in any water flowing into the Pacific; probably because of the rapid movement of those streams.
Of the difference between the genera Euryale and Victoria our more perfect specimens enable us to add some particulars beyond those already indicated by Dr. Lindley; and the subjoined tabular view of their discrepancies will put the matter in the clearest light.
| EURYALE. | VICTORIA. |
| Sepals persistent. | Sepals deciduous. |
| Petals 20-30, apparently in 3-4 series, smaller than the calyx, diminishing in size towards the interior, but all free, uniform in shape, in no way changed in form or in texture. | Petals very numerous, in several series, longer than the calyx, the inner gradually narrower, acuminated, and indurated, passing into the stamens (as in Nymphæa) and united with them into an elevated ring, forming a prolongation of the torus. |
| Stamens numerous, uniform and all fertile and free; the inner ones generally smaller. Filaments filiform, delicate, short. Anthers terminal, oval, obtuse, free, not apparently adnate with the filaments. (Roxb. fg.) | Stamens united at the base in several series, the free portions subulate, fleshy, firm, bearing the elongated anther-cells below the acuminated point, and adnate with the filaments. Innermost stamens united into a monadelphous body and sterile. |
| Ovary oval, "6-8-celled ? cells irregularly (?) placed and each containing 6-10 seeds, attached to the partitions and to the exterior angles of the cells," | Ovary turbinate, with a deep cavity at the top and a central projecting column. Around the cavity, and placed with great regularity, are from 27-30 |
- ↑ In the same year Sir R. H. Schomburgk had the gratification of showing this plant in its native waters to the officers of the 1st West India Regiment, when proceeding up that river to take military possession of Pirara, at which time it was in full flower. The Rev. Thomas Youde, Sir Robert informs us, made several attempts to bring plants from the interior to the coast, but they never survived many weeks.
