ii 
aor J 
ater Lily. 
Nopmphea odorata. Naturar Orver: Nympheacee—Water Lily Family. 
7 UITE inadequate is language, we may say, to the descrip- 
% tion of this beautiful flower. One might exhaust the whole 
é< vocabulary, and yet fall short of expressing that sense of 
beauty and loveliness that it itself expresses as it rests upon 
the bosom of the placid stream. ‘Tantalizing, too, is it, like 
* all beauty, seemingly so near, yet only to be possessed by 
9 
" the venturesome few, for “only the brave deserve the fair,” and 
yet only waiting to be plucked by the hand that would clasp it 
lovingly in its embrace. This lily is shaped like a large rosette. It 
is composed of numerous pointed petals that curve upward toward 
the center. They are usually a pure opaque white, though some- 
times purplish. In the midst of this exquisite cluster of petals there 
are innumerable fringelike filaments of the most delicate yellow, that 
tremble with the least agitation. The leaves are large and rounded, 
being many times nearly a foot in breadth, and float on the surface 
The flower 
is very fragrant, and may well be called, as it sometimes is, the “ Naiad, or 
of the water around their radiant queen like so many handmaids. 
Bride of the Waters,” which is but a free translation of its botanic name. 
Ry 
Eloquent, 
EN are more eloquent than women made, 
But women are more powerful to persuade. 
—-Randolph, 
OW’'R above pow’rs! 
That with the strong rein of commanding words 
O heavenly eloquence! 
Dost manage, guide and master th’ eminence 
Of men’s affections, more than all their swords! 
Shall we not offer to thy excellence 
The richest treasure that our wit affords ? 
\ They melted as they fell. 
a 
Thou that canst do much more with one pen 
Than all the powers of princes can effect; 
And draw, divert, dispose and fashion men 
Better than force or rigor can direct! 
Should we this ornament of glory then, 
As th’ unmaterial fruits of shades neglect? 
—Daniel, 
HEN he spoke, what tender words he us’d, 
So softly, that, like flakes of feather’d snow, 
—Dryden. 
316 
me) 
SD 
