30 NYMPH^ACE^ 



2. Yellow Water-lily (iV%p/kw).— Sepals 5 ; petals inserted on the 

 receptacle. Name of Arabic origin. 



1. Water-lily (JVymphcea). 



Great Water-lily (N. cllba). — Leaves cordate, entire; stigma of 16 

 ascending rays. Plant perennial. The waters which run their silvery course 

 through our meadows, or lie in quiet lakes amid their greenness, bear some 

 of the loveliest of our native flowers. Those who have marked the rich 

 vegetation of tropical countries tell us that nowhere are they so much 

 reminded of their luxuriance as when they gaze on a stream with its margin 

 decked with tall blossoms, and its little islets of emerald grass and glowing 

 wild flowers. Beautiful as are many of our aquatics, yet this Water-lily, with 

 its rose-like sculptured cup of alabaster lying among its glossy bright-green 

 leaves, is without question queen of the waters. 



Except among the Composite Flowers, we have besides this scarcely any 

 plants which can be said to bear a double or semi-double blossom ; a circum- 

 stance which renders the wild-flower nosegay far less durable than that 

 o-athered from the garden ; yet while the blossoms are often on this account 

 less showy, their consequent lightness contributes to the grace of their 

 attitudes, and of the motion communicated to them by the passing winds. 

 But our Water-lily, Avith its numerous pure-white petals, looks like the flower 

 of some warmer region, and has been justly said to vie in beauty with the 

 Magnolia of India, though its fragrance is but faint in comparison with the 

 odour of that plant. Some of our quiet secluded streams are one mass of 

 white and green in June and July. The author has seen large pieces of 

 water in Essex almost covered with the lilies ; but, as Baxter remarks, the 

 flower is seen nowhere in greater perfection than in the vicinity of Oxford, 

 where it grows over the surface of almost every pond, deep watery ditch, 

 and slow river. The Ouse yet bears its rich masses of the flower, as it did 

 when Cowper wandered by its side, and, wishing for the lily, had his longing 

 gratified by the affectionate instinct of his spaniel. The spot where " Beau " 

 dashed into the stream to seize the flower is still pointed out. It is close by 

 a bridge called Goosey Bridge, and beautiful Water-lilies lie there on their 

 broad leaves as of yore. The gentle poet has long since quitted the scene 

 which his humble piety adorned ; but both verse and flower remain to remind 

 us of his simple tastes and pleasures, and of his pure and elevated feelings, 

 when, years ago — 



" The noon was shady, and soft airs 

 Swept Ouse's silent tide ; 

 And, 'scaped from literary cares, 

 He wander'd by its side. 



" It was the time when Ouse display'd 

 His lilies newly blown ; 

 Their beauties he intent survey'd, 

 And one he wish'd his own." 



The Cherwell has long Ijeen celebrated for its Water-lilies, and Mr. Noel, 

 in his beautiful little poem, entitled "A Thames Voyage," thus refers to 

 them : — 



