FRESH WATER SKETCHES. 335 
charmed loneliness ” to my own pursuits, or if they shall succeed 
in awakening in any that curiosity and desire for more intimate 
knowledge, which can only be gratified by original research, I shall 
feel that I have not misapplied that labor to which I have been 
urged by 
“That fond desire which dwells in human breasts, 
When pleased, their pleasures to extend to those 
Of kindred tastes.” 
I. THE POND AND ITS FLOWERING PLANTS. 
A por 3 
Can the wild aama restore. ”—-CAMPBELL. 
Is there any New Englander, any Northerner, to whom these 
words do not recall some favorite haunt of his youth, some of those 
beautiful and bright sheets of liquid crystal, which are so profusely 
scattered over the northern portions of our country, lending beauty 
to many a landscape, which, without these ornaments, would be 
dull and uninteresting? All who remember such scenes, will agree 
that what the lakes are to the landscape, the lilies are to the lake, 
adding a charm which we never fail to miss when they are not 
present. Without them there is always felt a loneliness, a want 
of animation and cheerfulness, the cause of which we may not be 
conscious of, but the contrast to which is at once perceived if we 
chance to find a pond 
. “ Where in the midst, upon her throne of green 
Sits the large lily, as the water’s queen.” — CRABBE. 
We then feel that she it is who apparently lends life and light to 
all around, and we can but acknowledge that she well deserves her 
aquatic throne. 
In company with this queen of the waters, there is usually found 
a bright bevy of maids of honor well worthy to grace her court. 
The delicate little Floating Heart (Limnanthemum lacunosum), 
the curious Water-shield (Brasenia peltata Pursh) the purple and 
yellow Utricularia are among her train; while the coarse but 
curious Yellow Lily (Nuphar advena Ait), the slender Pipewort 
(Eriscaulon septangulare), the white Arrow-head (Sagittaria vari- 
abilis) and the purple Pickerel-weed (Pontederia cordata L.) stand 
as sentinels around. But, as I have said, it is not my-inten- 
b tion to dwell upon those charms of lake scenery which must be 
obvious to every observer. Let us then turn not unlovingly from 
