At the suggestion of one whose ripened experience in matters floricultural, seldom errs, I took a trip to Bordentown, N. J., on September 3rd, 1885, to "see something worth seeing." Alighting from an early train at the railroad station, a few minutes walk brought me to the "Aquatic Garden" of Mr. E. D. Sturtevant. No sooner had I set foot upon these interesting grounds, than I was cordially greeted by the cheery proprietor, whom I knew as a man after my own heart. As each well knew the other's enthusiasm for the cultivation of aquatic vegetation, we were soon on the plank together in the middle of one of the large aquariums, where, for the time being, I seemed to forget, and it is not unlikely he did also, all other sublunary affairs. Possibly, we were both influenced, or actuated, with the "one touch of nature," which the poet says, "makes the whole world kin." If the good readers only knew my friend's predilection for, and the writer's prepossession in favor of, such charming objects as then surrounded us, they would naturally, or instinctively comprehend how enraptured we may become at the sight of exquisitely beautiful flowers, when their delicious perfumes fill the air, and while thus gently stealing over the senses captivate the heart.

A strangely fascinating interest seemed to center among the lovely occupants of the aquarium, whose serene beauty appeared to your correspondent's vision more like celestial creations than living vegetating objects of our mundane world. Let those appreciative souls who have ever felt the enchanting charm, whereof I write, fancy for a moment the paradisical scene, where peerless beauty reigned supreme, and brilliantly bespangled the placid water with the most lovely, gorgeous, i and odorous flowers possible to behold, and they will understand the inexpressible feelings the grateful heart enjoys.

That a love of flowers is natural to civilized beings, is an acknowledged fact no sensible person disputes. And when patient industry and skill combine to perfect or improve the natural graces of flowers, in the manner my persevering friend had done - whose indefatigable zeal for that branch of floriculture is so well known - success is assured, as was plainly demonstrated then and there. Indeed, it would be as futile to attempt to "gild the lily, or paint the rose," in brighter or fairer colors than their own, as it is to accurately depict the lovely Nymphaeas in their varied hues from bright red, to rosy pink, rosy white, pure white, royal purple, azure blue, delicate blue, and yellow. Individually possessed, as are all the species of Water Lilies, with a peculiar beauty of their own, it is exceedingly difficult to decide which excels this, or surpasses that one, where all, without exception, are absolutely superb. The blue and red varieties being more uncommon than the other kinds, their splendid flowers seemed to first catch the eye with their conspicuous charms.

Noted examples of which are N. Devoniensis, N. rubra, N. Zanzibar-ensis, and the unique seedling of the proprietors, in honor of whom it is named N. Sturtevanti. Rising a few inches above the large healthy leaves, many of which exceeded two feet in diameter, were numbers of magnificent flowers measuring over twelve inches across.

These few kinds are merely mentioned as fair specimens of what were under cultivation. And while dilating upon their remarkable attractions, memory recalls the time, years ago, when the writer first saw growing in Flinders river, Queensland, in distant Australia, the beautiful large blue Water Lily, N. gigantea, which is indigenous to that and other rivers in that interesting colony. And what particularly renders it noteworthy, is the recollection of a serious disaster which befell me, when the boat capsized in which we were crossing the swollen turbulent stream, among the greatest profusion of Water Lilies of this species, which obstructed our passing through, and where with the greatest difficulty I was rescued from drowning. Also of much interest to lovers of the beautiful, is the crimson Nelumbium Lie-chardtianum, a most splendid species, I first discovered blooming in the Ballone river, which is so called after the name the aborigines know the plant by. It is also a native of the same section of continent, the peculiar flora of which has been frequently described.

In addition to a large and choice variety of Water Lilies, were Pontederia, Sagittaria, Lim-nanthemum, Trapa, Junca, Apongeton, Cyperus, Nupae, Valisnena, Calocasia, Typhea, Zizania, Phragmites, Trianaea, Azolla, Pistia, Limno-charis, Hedychium, Papyrus, Ceratopteris thalic-troides, Nelumbiums in variety, Ouverandra, etc. Of the last-named, O. fenestralis, the Lace Leaf, or Lattice plant of Madagascar, is a natural curiosity, with which nothing else in cultivation can compare in the vegetable kingdom. The peculiar structure of its skeletonized leaves closely resembles the finest samples of rare old point lace, and may be considered one of the most interesting plants of the collection.

The persecuted natives of that beautiful, and until recently, flourishing island, (who were steadily advancing in civilization, having been successfully raised from a state of gross idolatry, through the efforts of protestant missionaries, to a knowledge and practice of Christianity, and continued to progress therein, until a meddlesome European power, whose cupidity for so valuable a possession incited them to forcibly seize) make use of the Yam-like roots of this singular esculent, which are said to be palatable and nutritious.

As an experiment, Mr. S. had immersed some six or seven nice plants of this curious genus, in one of the large tanks in the open air, and which, to all appearance, were doing as well as those submerged in a tank under glass.

As yet, in my cursory remarks, I have scarcely alluded to the Nelumbium speciosum, a stately, odorous, and extremely beautiful aquatic. This interesting and highly-esteemed plant, has from remote times, been a favorite in the orient, and, apparently through the efforts of Mr. S., it is as likely to become as popular in this hemisphere as it is in distant lands. Adjacent to the spacious tank I have more particularly noticed, is another of the same dimensions, in which flourish in like manner to the plants in the first one mentioned, fine clusters of several species of Nelumbium and other aquatics. From seed sent from Japan, this enterprising florist has raised a vast number of seedlings, which he is hopeful will produce something new. Already a lovely pure white seedling of his, a charming novelty he highly prizes, has, to his great delight, displayed its primal loveliness. During the next summer, I trust my praiseworthy friend will be well rewarded for his patient pains, with a number of novelties among his seedling Nelum-biums.