LILIACE 2. 181 
membranous sheaths one above the other. Leafstalks 2 to 8 inches 
long, one enclosing the other; rarely there is a third leafstalk enclosed 
by the second; lamina elliptical, acuminated at each end, 3 to 8 
inches long. Scape 4 to 15 inches high, bearing a raceme of drooping 
white flowers. Peduncles recurved, solitary, ifs flowered, with scarious 
racts at their base, a little longer than the flowers. Flowers 8 inch 
long, cupshaped-campanulate. Berry about the size of a large "black 
currant, red, smooth. Leaves deep green, slightly glaucous, glabrous. 
Lily of the Valley. 
French, Muguet de Mai. German, Gemeine Maiblume. 
This plant is popularly known as the flower of humility, and the names of 
“Ladder to Heaven” and “ Jacob’s Ladder,” are commonly given toit. It is the 
very gem of English flowers, and is equally attractive whether we consider its lovely 
delicate appearance or its delicious scent. At one time it grew in profusion on 
Hampstead Heath, but to our sorrow has now disappeared from that locality. It 
still grows wild in the woods about Clifton, and is by no means peculiar to valleys, 
though both the English and botanical names imply that it is so. The blossoms are 
succeeded by large berries as big as currants. Hurdis writes some pretty lines on 
this charming plant, which is the delight of all who love flowers :— 
“ When the blast 
Her sister tribes confounds and to the earth 
Stoops their high heads that vainly were exposed 
She feels it not, but flourishes anew, 
Still sheltered and secure. And as the storm 
That makes the high elm crouch and rends the oak 
The humble Lily spares; a thousand blows 
That shake the lofty monarch on his throne, 
We lesser folks feel not. Keen are the pains 
Advancement often brings. To be secure, 
Be humble; to be happy, be content.” 
The Suffolk poet, Bernard Barton, thus speaks of this flower :— 
sr . and sweetest to the view, 
The Lily of the Vale, whose virgin flower 
Trembles at every breeze beneath its leafy bower.” 
The fragrance of the freshly gathered Lily is very delicious; when dried it has a 
narcotic scent ; and, reduced to powder, it is said to excite sneezing and to relieve dis- 
orders of the head. 
GENUS V—ASPARAGUS. Linn. 
Flowers subdiecious by abortion. Perianth bellshaped, coloured 
or subherbaceous, deciduous, of six leaves cohering only at the very 
base. Stamens 6, inserted on the base of the perianth leaves; anthers 
‘short. Ovary free, sessile, 3-celled, abortive in the male flowers; 
ovules 2 in each cell; style filiform; stigma 3-cleft. Berry globose, 3-. 
to G-seeded. Seeds subglobose, depressed; testa thin, brittle, black. 
