74 THE BOOK OF THE LILY 



Of the varieties of L. elegans, that known as later itium 

 or biligulatum, loses its colour quicker than any other of 

 the red forms, and the bright tinted pictum, a yellow 

 flower, flamed with red, owing to the flimsy substance 

 of its petals, is not long attractive. 



One can understand the lasting nature of L. chalce- 

 donicum, as the petals are thick and wax-like in texture, 

 and hot sunshine but little affects them. 



The massive blooms of L. Hansom quickly change 

 colour and become disfigured if exposed to the 

 full sun, and the same applies to the beautiful 

 L. Henryi. 



Rain, sunshine, and wind seem to have but little effect 

 on L. testaceum, as the tall yet flexible stems yield to 

 the breeze, and the petals remain fresh a long time 

 even in weather bad for other Lilies. In this respect 

 it surpasses the Madonna Lily (L. candidum), and doubt- 

 less inherits this good quality from its other parent 

 L,. chalcedonicum. 



The varieties of L. Martagon last a long time owing 

 to the thick wax-like petals which do not, as in the case 

 of the closely-allied L. Hansom ', get so much burnt in 

 the sun, though dalmaticum will bleach sometimes in very 

 hot sun. All Lilies growing in shade or semi-shade last 

 longer in flower than when fully exposed. The un- 

 pleasant odour of the flowers of many of the Martagon 

 group is less pronounced when first expanded than it is 

 later on. 



L. Humboldti flowers during what is usually the 

 hottest period of the year, yet when exposed to the 

 direct rays of the mid-day sun, the orange coloured 

 petals do not become paler in colour, but slightly deeper 

 in tint Even in the middle of July the flowers often 

 remain fresh for a fortnight when out of doors. This is 

 one of the many beautiful points of this Lily, and it is a 

 pity that it is one of the most capricious in its behaviour. 



