256 FLORA DOMESTICA. 



and as white as a lily is an old and common proverb, yet 

 lilies are of almost every variety of colour : perhaps there is 

 no other flower that varies so much in this respect. 



" The Common White Lily," says Mr. Martyn, " has 

 been cultivated in England time immemorial." The stem 

 is usually about three feet high. The flowers are bril- 

 liantly white, and glossy on the inside. It is from the 

 East; and in Japan the blossom is said to be nearly a 

 span in length. This Lily flowers in June and July. 

 The roots, which are mucilaginous, are sometimes boiled 

 in milk or water, and employed in emollient poultices ; 

 but they have not much reputation. An oil for the same 

 purpose was also prepared by infusing the roots in olive 

 oil. 



There are several varieties of the White Lily : as, that 

 with the flowers striped or blotched with purple ; that 

 with the leaves striped or edged with yellow ; one with 

 double, and one with pendulous flowers. The double 

 flowers are less fragrant than the single ; and the common 

 kind is generally held in higher estimation than any of 

 the others. 



This Lily may easily be increased by offsets, which the 

 bulbs furnish in great plenty. They should be taken oft' 

 every second year. The best time to remove it is about 

 the end of August, soon after the stalks decay. It will 

 thrive in almost any soil or situation, is very hardy, and 

 not liable to injury by frost. Few plants are more easily 

 increased or preserved than the Lily, so remarkable for 

 the beauty and fragrance of its flowers. 



The bulbs, when removed, may be treated as other 

 bulbs ; but the sooner these are re-planted the better, as 

 they do not keep so well out of the ground as many 

 others. 



