LILY OF THE VALLEY. 157 



called " Conval Lilly, May Lillies, Lillie of the 

 Vallie, and Liriconfancie." (Gerard, p. 333.) 



The name of Lily has been very improperly 

 given to this species of ConvaUaria, as it has not 

 the least affinity with the Lily either in its root, 

 fruit, or flower. We presume that it was called a 

 Lily from the purity of its white corolla, for even 

 at the present time, notwithstanding we have 

 Orange and Scarlet Lilies, we attach an idea of 

 delicacy to the very name of Lily. As it grows 

 spontaneously in shady valleys, it is natural to 

 call it the Lily of the valley. The name of 

 ConvaUaria is derived from ConvaUis, a valley. 

 It was called May Lily from the month in which 

 it flowered. 



The proper situation for this plant in the garden 

 is the most rural and rustic part, where it is partially 

 shaded by shrubs and trees ; and it flowers even 

 better in a north aspect than when fully exposed to 

 the noon-day sun. It will grow in almost any 

 earth, but it produces most flowers in a loose sandy 

 soil that is rather poor than otherwise ; for when 

 planted in a rich garden mould the roots spread 

 and multiply rapidly, but the plants give but few 

 flowers, and like most other creeping rooted plants, 

 it seldom produces seed where it can propagate 

 itself so readily by the nature of its roots. From 

 this economy of nature, an observing gardener will 



