*Z4 t*f THE GUIANA FOREST. 



lagoons almost choked by the masses of vege- 

 tation growing actually in the water. Above all 

 the rest the most conspicuous are the water-lilies, 

 the long flexible leaves and flower-stems of which 

 make double work for the paddlers as they have to 

 be pushed aside at every stroke. In the day their 

 flowers are all closed, but at night they lie open on 

 the surface of the water and distil their powerful 

 fragrance into the damp air until it becomes 

 almost oppressive. To see them on a moonlight 

 night is worth a long journey, as they reflect the 

 rays as if they were fallen stars, especially when 

 their petals are laden with dewdrops. These 

 plants above all others seem as if specially deve- 

 loped to suit the swamp. However shallow or 

 deep the waters may be the leaves always float on 

 the surface. The petiole may be a dozen feet in 

 length or only a single inch when the creek is dry. 

 If a flood rises quickly before it can elongate itself 

 there is no danger, as the flexible stems and leaves 

 can move backwards and forwards without afford- 

 ing the least opportunity for the waters to take 

 hold and drag it from its anchorage. 



Between the great leaves of the water-lilies are 

 patches of Utricularias, their beautiful flowers 

 standing up out of the water like yellow and 

 purple violets. Their lace-like foliage spreads 



