158 IN SPRING. 



bloom. But worthier thoughts well up as you 

 draw nearer. 



One has but to glance over Gray's Botany to 

 notice how many plants have been introduced 

 from Europe, and are now so firmly established 

 that native species are forced to retire before 

 them. The pond before me exhibits another, 

 and so recent an instance it has not yet been re- 

 corded. What radical changes this Egyptian 

 plant will work are yet to be determined ; that 

 we can foresee one of them the crowding out 

 of the nuphar is unquestionable. That any 

 change will be one to be regretted is highly im- 

 probable. To introduce the lotus is not to re- 

 peat the blunder of the English sparrow. It is 

 certain not to oust other plants that are more 

 valuable, for as yet we have found little if any 

 value in the products of our marshes. Since the 

 country's settlement it has been the aim of the 

 thrifty to convert them into dry land whenever 

 practicable. Thanks to whomsoever thanks are 

 due, many are irreclaimable. 



Seeing how forcibly this wonderful flower of 

 the lotus impresses itself upon the minds of the 

 ancient Egyptians and the East generally, how 

 prominently it figures in Eastern religions- " all 

 idols of Buddha are made to rest upon opened 

 lotus-flowers " it is safe to conclude that when 

 familiar to all, even in this utilitarian age, it will 



