6o [V/LD, OK XATIVE FLOWERS. 



R\TTLESXAK.E Plaxtaix — Goodyera pubescens (R. Br.) 



This is a formidable name for a lovely little plant, the leaves of 

 which are prettily netted over the dark green surface with milky-white 

 veinings. The ovate, pointed leaves are set close to the ground ; lYom 

 the centre of the leaves rises a naked stalk of pearly white flowers in a 

 slender spike : corrolla ringent with inflated lip ; root-stock somewhat 

 creeping, soft and fibrous ; the flowers are slightly fragrant. This 

 pretty little plant is found in the forest, often on fallen decayed trunks 

 of trees, or in light fibrous mould. It is very nearly allied to the 



Slender Ladies'-Tresses — Spiranthes gracilis (Big.) 



The flower-stem of this singular plant is twisted, so that the blos- 

 soms are turned to one side, forming a spiral of great beauty. The 

 flowers are larger than those of the Rattlesnake Plantain, and sweeter ; 

 greenish-white, lipped and fringed. The two leaves are closely pressed to 

 the ground, and are little seen after the plant is in bloom. There 

 are several species of these graceful Orchids. 



The spiral arrangement of the flowers probably suggested the 

 ringlets on some fair lady's head. The old florists and herbalists of 

 former times were more gallant than our modern botanists, for they 

 gave many pretty names to the flowers instead of the harsh-sounding, 

 unmeaning ones that we find in our scientific manuals of Botany. So 

 we have among our local and familiar names, such prettily sounding 

 ones, as "Ladies" Tresses," "Sweet Cicely," "Sweet Marjoram," or 

 " Marjory," " Mary-gold," " Ladies' Slipper," with a number of others 

 that I could name — besides descriptive names, which form a sort of 

 biography of the plant, giving us a correct idea of their characteristics 

 and peculiar uses or habits. 



Sweet Scented \\'ater-Lilv — Nympluta odoraia (Ait.) 



" Rocked gently there, the beautiful Nymphxa 

 Pillows her bright head."' — Cakndar of Flowers. 



Water-Lily is the popular name by which this beautiful aquatic 

 plant is known, nor can we find it in our hearts to reject the 

 name of Lily for this ornament of our lakes. The White Nymphnea 

 might indeed be termed " Queen of the Lakes," for truly she sits in 

 regal pride upon her watery throne, a very queen among flowers. 



Very lovely are the Water Lilies of England; but their fair sisters of 

 the New World excel them in size and fragrance. 



