y (_Laurineae_) and
the nutmeg family (_Myristicineae_) are mostly tropical plants,
characterized by the fragrance of the bark, leaves, and fruit. The
former is represented by the sassafras and spice-bush, common
throughout the eastern United States. The latter has no members within
our borders, but is familiar to all through the common nutmeg, which
is the seed of _Myristica fragrans_ of the East Indies. "Mace" is the
"aril" or covering of the seed of the same plant.

The second order of the _Aphanocyclae_ comprises a number of aquatic
plants, mostly of large size, and is known as the _Hydropeltidinae_.
The flowers and leaves are usually very large, the latter usually
nearly round in outline, and frequently with the stalk inserted near
the middle. The leaves of the perigone are numerous, and sometimes
merge gradually into the stamens, as we find in the common white
water-lily (_Castalia_).

[Illustration: FIG. 102.--Types of _Aphanocyclae_ (_Hydropeltidinae_).
_A_, yellow water-lily, _Nymphaea_ (_Nymphaeaceae_), x 1/2. _B_, a leaf of
the same, x 1/6. _C_, freshly opened flower, with the large petal-like
sepals removed, x 1/2. _p_, petals. _an._ stamens. _st._ stigma. _D_,
section of the ovary, x 2. _E_, young fruit, x 1/2. _F_, lotus,
_Nelumbo_ (_Nelumbieae_). x 1/6. _G_, a stamen, x 1. _H_, the large
receptacle, with the separate pistils sunk in its surface, x 1/2. _I_,
section of a single pistil, x 2. _ov._ the ovule. _J_, upper part of a
section through the stigma and ovule (_ov._), x 4.]

There are three families, all represented within the United States.
The first (_Nelumbieae_) has but a single species, the yellow lotus or
nelumbo (_Nelumbo lutea_), common in the waters of the west and
southwest, but rare eastward (Fig. 101, _F_). In this flower, the end
of the flower axis is much enlarged, looking like the rose of a
watering-pot, and has the large, separate carpels embedded in its
upper surface. When ripe, each forms a nut-like fruit which is edible.
There are but two species of _Nelumbo_ known, the second one
(_N. speciosa_) being a native of southeastern Asia, and probably
found in ancient times in Egypt, as it is represented frequently in
the pictures and carvings of the ancient Egyptians. It differs mainly
from our species in the color of its flowers which are red instead of
yellow. It has recently been introduced into New Jersey where it has
become well established in several localities.

The second fa