868 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



lakes, they are not then entirely free from casual mishaps. For 

 instance, in a season of long-continued drought the water may 

 sink to an abnormally low depth, and in receding from the plants 

 leave their crowns exposed above its surface to endure an un- 

 congenial element and its consequences. We recall one case 

 where, after several of the choicer kinds had become fairly 

 established, they were discovered unexpectedly removed from their 

 allotted stations and floating promiscuously in the lake, which 

 depredation had been the work of some mischievous swans. 



Interest is now evidently being more generally taken in 

 acquiring some of the rarer kinds of Nymphaeas in places 

 having facilities for growing them, and where the commonly- 



FiG. 578. — Xymph^a alba. 



known white -A\ alba (Fig. 578) has hitherto been perhaps the 

 sole representative of the genus. It must not be imagined, 

 however, that the new introductions, notwithstanding their varied 

 charms, will ever be likely to entirely usurp the places of this 

 old native favourite. Where the familiar white Water Lilies 

 abound they present, during their season of flowering, as 

 delightful a spectacle as it is possible to imagine in connection 

 with rural scenery, more particularly in sheltered places. Beyond 

 where steamboats churn the river stream, these are to be 

 found helping materially to impart to their surroundings the 

 appearance of reposeful seclusion that is so great a charm to 

 frequenters of the riverside. There are not a few to whom 

 some of these scenes are familiar, and who have felt delight in 

 viewing closely the floating flowers expanding their broad and 

 spotless petals to the sun. 



To careless minds they seem to roam 



Abroad upon the river ; 

 In all their movements chained to home, 



Fast rooted there for ever. 



Such scenes are emphatically worthy of the pains of preserving, 

 and in the not very distant future it may be considered 

 desirable to undertake the protection of these Aquatic Flowers — 

 born of the river and on the river borne. 



