The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-02
THE DEVILS RATTLE-BOX.
Wherein 1t Differs from the Sacred
Bean of the Nile Region.

Prof. John Collett, formerly state geolo-
gist, recently addressed to Prof. j. s..
Schueck, of Mount Carmel, ILL.,, an inquiry
concerning the devils rattle box" and IN
response has received from Professor
Schueck the appended letter:
Replying to your question In regard to
the devils rattle box or ''yankepin,"
l will say that it is regarded as an entirely
distinct species from the sacred bean" of
the Nile region. Our plant is Nelumbo Utica,
Pers., and occurs IN our ponds and still
waters from south Connecticut westward
to Minnesota and southwark to our eastern
coast and the lower Rio Grande river. 1t
is known, in addition to the names given
above, as the yellow nelumbo, water or
pond ~chinquapin, bear acorn, muckashaw,
wonkapin, etc. 1t would be better for ali
to call it yellow Nelumbo. The sacred bean
or false lotus is Nelumbo indica, Pers. 1t
is found in the Stagnant waters of Egypt,
East India, China and Japan. Both species
are propagated from the acorn like seeds,
and by underground stems which spread
deep in the mud and send up leaf and
flower stalks at irregular intervals. These
underground stems also bear tubers of the
form and size of bananas. From these
same manner as from potatoes. The acorns
and tuberS are rich in starch, and when
cooked are edible and quite nutritious. Hogs
are very fond of the tubers and Will fairly
bury themselves in the mud in their eager
hunt for them. And bears are very partial
to the immature pods and the acorn-like
IL III La AAdAiJ "a - vi al III L 40
called bear acorn for this reason.
The two species are readily distinguished
Ours bears a clear yellow flower, the tips
of the anthers are hooked, the leaf and
flower stalks are very slightly warty and
the flowers give off d very delicate odor,
like that Of ripe apples or pineapples: The
Eastern plant bears a purplish pink flower,
has blunt-pointed anthers, ough, prickly
leaf and flower stalks, and a delicious fra
GRANGE, resembling that Of lavender.
Both species can be readily grown in any
part of the United States. provided the
tubers and underground stems are placed
deep enough in the mud and water to be
below the line of freezing. in a small arti-
fetal pond in my dooryard / grew the East
ern plant last season: 1t bloOmed from May
until frost; some Of the flowers being over
ten inches in diameter, while some of the
leaves were more than thirty inches across.
1t is now beginning to peep out of the mud
to begin another seasons growth.
The plant is well suited to win in the
struggle for existence, and when estab-
lished in a pond will crowd out everything
in the form of vegetation that comes in it's
way. Its principal enemies are hogs and
frost, and the aggressive agriculturist who
drains off its muddy haunts and converts
1t is the glory Of the water garden. This
luxury can be made with less than $40 ex-
pense. Dig a hole. say ten feet across and
four feet deep; wall and cement it; fill it
half full with rich muck and sharp sand;
put the tubers deep in this and fill with
water. The plants will keep the water pure;
refill as the water .eyaporates; other
acquatic plants and fishes can also be
added. In two seasons the Nelumbo viii
have taken entire possession, and all the
culture necessary will be to cut off old or
soiled leaves. When cold weather comes
cover the pond to protect from frost. The
following spring one-half bushe of cement
Will usually mend all damage done TO the
wall by frost.
The Eastern nations have held their plant
in sacred regard from time immemorial.
over four thousand years ago IT was wor-
SHIPPED by the priests and people Of Egypt.
According TO the Hindu legends. Brahma
came forth from its blossom. and Buddha
is said to have first appeared floating on
this mystic flower. and many of the Hindu
deities were fond of resting on it's leaves.
In China this plant is worshiped and con-
sidered sacred to their god PIAZZA, etc. This
plant. however, is not the true lotus of
song and poetry there appear to be sew
eral species OF plants which contend for
this honor.