INTRODUCTION vii 



A careful observation of the distinctive features of 

 the great divisions of LiHes v^ill not only give addi- 

 tional .interest to the plants themselves, but will give 

 the amateur grower some grasp of the botanical 

 aspect, by helping him to observe the evidences of the 

 common laws of structure that have been accepted 

 in determining the relationships of the groups. No 

 one could believe, who has not taken the trouble to 

 learn these simple and now plainly defined characters, 

 how the possession of such knowledge increases our 

 interest in any group of plants. What a joy it is, in 

 Daffodils for instance, to have acquired a " Daffodil 

 eye," so that when any new Narcissus, whether 

 collected wild or produced by intentional hybridisa- 

 tion, is shown, to be able at a glance to guess fairly 

 nearly at its parentage and quite surely at its clanship. 

 In the matter of Lilies it is much easier, for the 

 forms in the several groups are more distinct. 



In addition to the acknowledgment so justly due 

 to Mr. Baker, it would be ungracious on the part 

 of any one venturing to put together a handbook 

 on Lilies to omit some grateful reference to the 

 labours of others who have worked among these 

 noble flowers ; to the travels and writings of Mr. 

 Henry Elwes, author of the " Monograph," the 

 standard authority on Lilies ; to the many years of 

 experiment and written record of Mr. G. F. Wilson ; 

 and to the industry and perseverance of Mr. Max 

 Leichtlin of Baden-Baden. 



