LILIACE^, 181 



membranous sheaths one above the other. Leafstalks 2 to 8 inches 

 long, one enclosing the other ; rarely there is a third leafstalk enclosed 

 by the second; lamina elliptical, acuminated at each end, 3 to 8 

 inches long. Scape 4 to 15 inches high, bearing a raceme of drooping 

 ■white flowers. Peduncles recurved, solitary, 1-flowered, vnth scarious 

 bracts at their base, a little longer than the flowers. Flowers | inch 

 long, cupshaped-campanulate. Berry about the size of a large black 

 currant, red, smooth. Leaves deep green, slightly glaucous, glabrous. 



Lily of the Valley. 



French, Mugvet de Mai. German, Gemeine Maiblume. 



This plant is popularly known as the flower of humUity, and the names of 

 " Ladder to Heaven " and " Jacob's Ladder," are commonly given to it. It is the 

 very gem of English flowers, and is equally attractive whether we consider its lovely 

 delicate appearance or its delicious scent. At one time it gi-ew in profusion on 

 Hampstead Heath, but to our sorrow has now disappeared from that locality. It 

 still grows wild in the woods about Clifton, and is by no means peculiar to valleys, 

 though both the English and botanical names imply that it is so. The blossoms are 

 succeeded by large berries as big as currants. Hurdis writes some pretty lines on 

 this charming plant, which is the delight of all who love flowers :— 



" Wlien the blast 

 Her sister tribes confounds and to the earth 

 Stoops their high heads that vainly were exposed 

 She feels it not, but flourishes anew. 

 Still sheltered and secure. And as the storm 

 That makes the high elm crouch and rends the oak 

 The humble Lily spares ; a thousand blows 

 That shake the lofty monarch on his throne. 

 We lesser folks feel not. Keen are the pains 

 Advancement often brings. To be secure, 

 Be humble; to be happy, be content." 



The Suffolk poet, Bernard Barton, thus speaks of this flower :— 

 " . . . . and sweetest to the view, 

 The Lily of the Vale, whoso virgin flower 

 Trembles at every breeze beneath its leafy bower." 



The fragrance of the freshly gathered Lily is very delicious ; when dried it has a 

 narcotic scent ; and, reduced to powder, it is said to excite sneezing and to relieve dis- 

 orders of the head. 



GENUS F.— ASPARAGUS. Unn. 

 Flowers subdioecious by abortion. Perianth bellshaped, coloured 

 or subherbaceous, deciduous, of six leaves cohering only at the very 

 base. Stamens 6, inserted on the base of the perianth leaves ; anthers 

 short. Ovary free, sessile, 3-celled, abortive in the male flowers; 

 ovtiles 2 m each cell ; style filiform ; stigma 3-cleft. Beriy globose, 3- 

 to 6-seeded. Seeds subglobosc, depressed; testa thin, brittle, black. 



