NATIVE WILD FLOWEKS 



that support the leaves and blossoms are round, of an olive- 

 green, containing open pores filled with air, which cause 

 them to be buoyed up in the water. These air-cells may be 

 examined by cutting the stems across, when the beautiful 

 arrangement of the pores can be seen and admired for their 

 use in buoying up the stem and allowing the flower-cup to 

 float upon the surface of the water. These air-cells are 

 arranged with beautiful symmetry, giving strength as well 

 as lightness. 



The leaves of the Water-lily are of a full-green color, 

 deeply tinged with red towards the fall of the year, so 

 much so as to give a blood-red tinge to the water; they are 

 of a large size, round kidney-shaped, of leathery texture 

 and highly-polished surface, resisting the action of the 

 water as if coated with oil or varnish. Over these beds of 

 Water-Lilies hundreds of dragon-flies of every color blue, 

 green, scarlet and bronze may be seen like living gems 

 flirting their pearly-tinted wings in all the enjoyment of 

 their newly found existence possibly enjoying the delicious 

 aroma from the odorous lemon-scented flowers over which 

 they sport so gaily. 



The flowers of the Water-lily grow singly at the summit 

 of the round smooth fleshy scapes. Who that has ever 

 floated upon one of our calm inland lakes on a warm July 

 or August day but has been tempted,* at the risk of upsetting 

 the frail birch-bark canoe or shallow skiff, to put forth a 

 hand to snatch one of those matchless ivory cups that rest 

 in spotless purity upon the tranquil water, just rising and 

 falling with the movement of the stream; or has gazed with 

 wishful and admiring eyes into the still, clear water at the 



* It is decidedly risky, as the stem is not only tough but slippery. After several 

 struggles you may succeed (unless you have a knife to cut the stem) in either breaking off 

 the flower or dragging into the boat several yards of slimy, thick, slippery stems. 

 A. D. C. 



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