REMARKS ON THE GUERNSEY LILY. 109 



The Guernsey Lily — railed in France, le lis de Japon — which has 

 been removed by some botanists from the genus Amaryllis, and 

 called Nerine, is extremely handsome: it is a native of Japan, but 

 has long been naturalized at Guernsey, from which place it is named. 

 There are from eight to twelve flowers on one plant ; the circum- 

 ference of each flower about seven inches. When in full beauty, it 

 has the appearance of a fine gold tissue wrought on a rose-coloured 

 ground ; and when it begins to fade, it is pink. If beheld in full 

 sunshine, it seems studded with diamonds ; but by candle-light, looks 

 rather as if it were spangled with fine gold-dust. When the flower 

 begins to wither, the petals assume a deep crimson colour. The 

 flowers begin to appear towards the end of August, and the head is 

 usually three weeks gradually expanding. This plant is said to have 

 been taken to Guernsey by a vessel wrecked there on its return from 

 Japan. There, and at Jersey, it thrives as well as in its native 

 country ; and, from both those islands, the roots are annually dis- 

 persed over Europe. 



These roots, or rather bulbs, are generally brought over in June 

 or July : they should then be planted in pots of light earth, and re- 

 freshed with water two or three times a week, but very gently. Too 

 much wet, especially before they come up, would rot the bulbs. 



About the middle of September, such of the bulbs as are strong 

 enough to flower will begin to show the bud of the flower-stem, which 

 is commonly of a red-colour : they should then be placed where they 

 may have the benefit of the sun, and be defended from strong winds ; 

 but by no means must they be placed close to a wall, or under 

 glasses, which would draw them up weak, and render them less 

 beautiful. If the weather be dry, they should still be refreshed with 

 water every second, or if very hot, every day ; but if there be much 

 rain, they must be sheltered from it. 



When the flowers begin to open, they should be placed under 

 cover to preserve them from rain; but must be allowed plenty of 

 fresh air, or the colours will lose their brilliancy and soon decay. If 

 rightly managed, they will continue in beauty a full month ; and, 

 though they afford no perfume, their beauty alone entitles them to a 

 first rank among the children of Flora. 



After the flowers have decayed, the leaves will continue growing 

 all the winter ; they must be defended from frost, but should have as 



