LILIES. 53 



obtained the number required. Having loaded my- 

 self with leaves, flowers, and ripe seed-vessels, I next 

 mused how they were to be conveyed in safety; and 

 determined at length upon suspending them on long 

 poles with small cords, tied to the stalks of the leaves 

 and flowers. Two Indians, each taking on his shoul- 

 der an end of the pole, carried them into the town ; 

 the poor creatures wondering all the while what 

 could induce me to be at so much trouble to get at 

 flowers, and for what purpose I destined them now 

 they were in my possession." 



The leaves of this plant are round, and vary con- 

 siderably in size, the largest being about six feet in 

 diameter. They float on the surface of the water, 

 are of a light green color above, and bright purple 

 below. The margins of the leaves are turned up- 

 wards, giving them the appearance of floating dishes. 

 The plant grows in four to six feet of water, producing 

 leaves and flowers which rapidly decay and give place 

 to others. From each plant there are seldom more 

 than four or five leaves on the surface; but even 

 these, in parts of the lakes where they grow most 

 abundantly, almost cover the surface of the water, 

 one leaf touching the other. The blossoms rise six 

 and eight inches above the surface, expanding first 

 in the evening, when they are pure white, changing 

 finally to a beautiful pink or rose color ; and several 

 may be seen at the same time, partaking of every 

 tinge between the two. The largest flowers measure 

 about ten or twelve inches in diameter. 



Another very interesting and beautiful plant, simi- 

 5* 



