56 LILIES. 



stand two and three feet above the water, the latter 

 bearing a long spike of flowers, surrounded by one 

 beautiful broad petal or sheath, of the purest white , 

 this sheath is termed a spadix, and forms a good 

 example of a very singular mode of flowering. 



The Jacobean Lily is a species of Amaryllis, of a 

 deep crimson or almost mahogany color, and flowers 

 also in the Spring. There is a very curious process 

 by which the seed becomes fertilized in this plant. 

 In the morning a drop of very clear liquid issues 

 from the stigma; this liquid receives the pollen which 

 falls from the anthers, and soon becomes thick and 

 turbid, and about noon is so heavy as to be almost 

 ready to drop, when it is again absorbed, carrying 

 with it the fertilizing principle of the stamens. 



These plants, though all known by the familiar 

 name of Lilies, belong to entirely different families ; 

 the true Lilies embracing only those which are not 

 aquatics. 



THE CHILD AND THE LILY. 



I saw, one morn, a little maid 



With locks of golden hair, 

 Pluck from its stem beneath the shade 



A lily bright and fair. 

 And with a heart all full of glee, 



"Oh! dear mother!" she cried, 

 * "Look what a sweet charm this will be 



To set here by my side; 

 For now I'll smell its soft perfume, 



Its graceful form will view; 

 And gaze upon its placid bloom, 



All decked with shining dew. 



