84 FAMILIAR WILD FLOWERS. 



of the white lily, but are raised by their stems some two 

 or three inches above it. The petals are convex and give 

 the flower a very globular look. The large rayed stigma in 

 the centre of the flower is very conspicuous, and ai-ound it 

 stand numerous stamens. The scent of the blossoms is 

 rich and aromatic. In country places the plant is called 

 can-dock and brandy-bottle its broad leaves suggesting to 

 the not very exacting rural mind the idea of the dock, 

 while the can is the flagon-shaped seed-vessel. Some 

 persons profess to detect a slight brandy-like odour in the 

 flower, and this, added to the can or flagon-like form, will 

 explain the second name. In Wales it is the " Lili melyn 

 y dwr," and in Ireland the " Cohinih Auburn" 



The order to which our water-lilies belong contains 

 many beautiful and interesting species ; the famous lotus 

 of the Nile and the perhaps equally renowned Victoria regia 

 of the Amazon are conspicuous examples. Some are white, 

 others a delicate sulphur yellow, azure blue, or glowing 

 crimson ; but few exceed in beauty the silver chalice of our 

 own white water-lily. 



