134 NYMPH/EA ODORATA. SWEET-SCENTED WATER-LILY. 



The " Sleeping Beauty," as suggested by the water-lily to 

 Miller, seems to have occurred also to Oliver Wendel Holmes, 

 who says of it, in his "Star and the Water-Lily:" 



" What is the lily dreaming of? 

 Why crisp the waters blue ? 

 See, see, she is lifting her varnished lid ! 

 Her white leaves are glistening through." 



In their descriptions of lake and river scenery, the poets make 

 frequent and good use of the water-lily. Shelley writes of 



" floating water-lilies, broad and bright, 



Which lit the oak which overhung the hedge 



W^ith moonlight beams of their own watery light." 



And in Longfellow's " Evangeline," we are told that 



" Water-lilies in myriads rocked on the slight undulations 

 Made by the passing oars " 



This pretty picture of the flowers rising and falling with the 

 undulations of the ripples seems also to have impressed other 

 observers. In Mrs. Hemans' well-known lines to the water-lily, 

 we read : 



"Oh, beautiful thou art, 

 Thou sculpture-like and stately River-queen ! 

 Crowning the depths, as with the light serene 

 Of a pure heart. 



" Bright lily of the wave ! 

 Rising in fearless grace with every swell, 

 Thou seem'st as if a spirit meekly brave 

 Dwelt in thy cell. 



" Lifting alike thy head, 

 Of placid jjeauty, feminine, yet free. 

 Whether with foam or pictured azure spread 

 The waters be." 



Even the ancients had an idea of a queenly style of feminine 

 grace and beauty in association with the water-lily, for it is to 

 them we owe the name NyniphcEa, which dedicated these pretty 

 flowers to the nymphs or goddesses who presided over the 

 waters. The name is mentioned in this connection by Pliny, as 



