176 SINGING-BIRDS AND FLOWERS, ETC. 



kinds have ever yet reached our shores. In the deepest 

 shade, in the very densest covers, grows a lily, grand 

 in proportion, beautiful in colour, and matchless in 

 perfume. It is white, pure and simple, about three feet 

 high, and by no means common. I have never found 

 it except in the warm regions of the south, and, as I 

 said before, only in the deepest shade. The other 

 varieties of lilies are very numerous, and all less or 

 more fragrant. In colour they are equally various. A 

 species of water-lily is also found, pleasant to the eye 

 as it is to the scent. 



A large jasmine, the flower being about two and a 

 half inches in diameter, is found in abundance all over 

 the country, strong in a delicious fragrance. It is, I 

 think, the same as is used in China for flavouring the 

 teas of a particular brand. 



The lotos plant is cultivated for the root, which is 

 used as a vegetable. It has little flavour, and cannot 

 in any way be compared to the potato as food. The 

 flower is exceedingly handsome, and has a slight per- 

 fume. 



I have now said enough to show that Japan is not 

 by any means without the charm of scented flowers. 

 In lilies alone it is most rich. Of scentless flowers 

 there are abundance, commencing with the camellia 



