NATIVE WILD FLOWERS 
that support the leaves and blossoms are round, of an olive- 
green, containing open pores filled with air, which cause 
them to be buoyed up in the water. These air-cells may be 
examined by cutting the stems across, when the beautiful 
arrangement of the pores can be seen and admired for their 
use in buoying up the stem and allowing the flower-cup to 
float upon the surface of the water. These air-cells are 
arranged with beautiful symmetry, giving strength as well 
as lightness. 
The leaves of the Water-lily are of a full-green color, 
deeply tinged with red towards the fall of the year, so 
much so as to give a blood-red tinge to the water; they are 
of a large size, round kidney-shaped, of leathery texture 
and highly-polished surface, resisting the action of the 
water as if coated with oil or varnish. Over these beds of 
Water-Lilies hundreds of dragon-flies of every color—blue, 
green, scarlet and bronze—may be seen like living gems 
flirting their pearly-tinted wings in all the enjoyment of 
their newly found existence—possibly enjoying the delicious 
aroma from the odorous lemon-scented flowers over which 
they sport so gaily. 
The flowers of the Water-lily grow singly at the summit 
of the round smooth fleshy scapes. Who that has ever 
floated upon one of our calm inland lakes on a warm July 
or August day but has been tempted,” at the risk of upsetting 
the frail birch-bark canoe or shallow skiff, to put forth a 
hand to snatch one of those matchless ivory cups that rest 
in spotless purity upon the tranquil water, just rising and 
falling with the movement of the stream; or has gazed with 
wishful and admiring eyes into the still, clear water at the 
*It is decidedly risky, as the stem is not only tough but slippery. After several 
struggles you may succeed (unless you have a knife to cut the stem) in either breaking off 
the flower or dragging into the boat several yards of slimy, thick, slippery stems. 
A. D.C. 
87 
