148 FAMILIAR GARDEN FLOWERS 



These two charming- plants are of about equal value for 

 decorative purposes. Of the two the Calla is the easiei 

 to force. 



The Japanese cook and eat the bulbs of lilies, those of 

 the Common White being much esteemed when served with 

 white sauce. Tastes differ, as do sentiments ; to us the 

 eating- of lily bulbs seems as foolish a proceeding- as the 

 eating- of nightingale's tongues or the dissolving of pearls 

 in vinegar to make sauce for a leg of mutton. 



The place of the lily in literature would make a 

 charming study for a lover of books, and the botanist might 

 help sometimes to determine the meaning of delicate similes 

 and comparisons. We cannot even touch the fringe of the 

 subject here, but the thought has brought to our remem- 

 brance the heart-moving story of the " Lily Maid of 

 Astolat/' whom Lancelot rudely slighted 



" The dead, 



Steer'd by the dumb, went upward with the flood- 

 In her right hand the lily, in her left 

 The letter all her bright hair streaming down." 



Elaine, 1149. 



