231 
were inspected and found to be still free from the insect as far 
as could be determined from a superficial examination from the 
ground. From these observations the conclusion may be drawn 
that the elm leaf beetle is reappearing, but only in localized 
areas. A careful inspection of elm trees should be made and 
spraying resumed wherever necessary with the hope of being 
able to assist nature in keeping the insect from attaining its 
former destructiveness. F, J. SEAVER 
THE LOTUS OF ANCIENT EGYPT 
There were two species of “lotus” known to the ancient 
Egyptians, one with white and the other with blue flowers. 
Both were true water-lilies, with heart-shaped leaves that rested 
on the surface of the water; and both were held sacred as sym- 
bolic of the creation. 
The plant known in America as the “Egyptian lotus” is not 
a true water-lily, but a Nelumbo, having tall circular leaves, 
pink flowers, and peculiar pitted fruits containing small nuts. 
It was held sacred in India, China, and Japan. 
I have looked through all the collections at the Metropolitan 
Museum of Art and have not found this latter plant, the oriental 
lotus, used as a decorative motive by the ancient Egyptians. 
What I have found is mostly the blue lotus, Castalia coerulea, 
and rarely the white lotus, Castalia Lotus. 
The true Egyptian lotus was one of the oldest, as well as 
one of the most beautiful, plant motives ever used. It grew 
abundantly in the valley of the Nile and was employed by the 
Egyptians, together with the papyrus and palm, in many forms of 
decorative art. 
Neither the true lotus of ancient Egypt nor the sacred lotus 
of the Orient must be confused with the plant referred to in 
Tennyson’s poem, which was the jujube, a prickly shrub bear- 
ing fruits resembling a plum or date and much used as a dessert. 
Homer describes the wandering Ulysses as arriving at the coast 
of Libya, where many of his sailors partook of the jujube fruits 
and immediately lost their desire to return to home and friends. 
W. A. MURRILL 
