THE GREAT WHITE WATER-LILY- 

 NYMPHJ1A ALBA.- 



" A bed of Water-Lilies: 



Broad-leaved are they, and their white canopies 

 Are upward turn'd, to catch the heaven's dew. 

 Near to a little island's point they grew; 

 Where Calidore might have the goodliest view 

 Of this sweet spot of earth." KEATS. 



OF the three Water-Lilies indigenous to the fresh- 

 water lakes and rivers of Britain, the Great White 

 Water-Lily (represented in the adjoining plate) is 

 certainly the most conspicuous, and is indeed one of 

 the most magnificent plants belonging to our native 

 Flora. It is this 



" Flower of the watery plain" 



which has especially attracted the attention of our 

 English poets neither of the other two species being 

 recognised as poetical flowers. The lovely and grace- 

 ful appearance of this Naiad, the pure element which 

 she inhabits, the often highly beautiful and pictu- 

 resque scenery with which she is associated, as well 



o 



