82 THE AMERICAN BOTANIST. 



a combination of lightness and strength quite marvellous 

 to contemplate. 



These leaves are of immense size, and are capable of 

 supporting quite a large child. The edges turn up to form 

 a sort of basin, and the surface has a curious, upholstered 

 look. Like very many other water plants whose leaves 

 are floating, the undersides of the leaves are red with an- 

 thocyanin a pigment which changes light into heat and 

 thus helps to keep the leaves warm. The upper sides are 

 green and exposed to the direct illumination and heat of 

 the sun. The opening bud is a dream of Nirvana, the fully 

 opened flower the perfection of grace and color. 



The pond-lily is an inspiration. No one can look upon 

 it without feeling soothed and ennobled. The Oriental 

 nations, with the poetry which distinguishes them, take 

 the flower as a S3'mbolof deit3^ In its pure bosom reposes 

 the great Buddha in his condition of perfection and rest : 

 for a similar Nirvana all mortals are seeking. This sacred 

 lotus is not identical with our pond -lily, but ours is quite 

 as beautiful. The pure white petals are tinged with shell- 

 like pink and its cool, delicit)us perfume suggests embow- 

 ered ponds and breezy shade. 



It is no easy matter to gather pond-lilies ; indeed, it is 

 proverbially difficult to obtain anything worth having. 

 In the first place they always grow out of reach of land. 

 To pluck them one has either to take a boat or play the 

 modern Leander. It is better to embark in a boat, for 

 swimming among the long, slippery and snake-like stems 

 of pond-lilies is rather dangerous business. The}' enwrap 

 themselves about one and threated to pull him under. 

 But in a boat he is safe, and can sail among the floating 

 stars in peace. The blossoms close in the afternoon and 

 are drawn near to or beneath the water ; thej- require to 

 bathe their prett}- faces before a reappearance. 



Tournefort was as fine a poet as the Hindoos, when he 

 named the genus ATv/npA^ea, for what could be more sacred 

 to the water nymphs than their lovely pond flower, rival- 

 ling the sweetness of their own breath. Perhaps it is itself 



