284 
WANDERINGS IN CHINA. 
Chap. XVIII. 
majestic than the Nelumbmm was at this season. As I 
stood on the little romantic bridge I looked to the right 
and left ; my eye rested on thousands of these flowers ; 
some of which were white, others red, and all were rising 
out of the water and standing above the beautiful clear 
green foliage. The leaves themselves, as they lay upon 
the smooth surface of the lake, or stood erect upon 
long footstalks, were scarcely less beautiful than the 
flowers, and both harmonised well together. Gold, 
silver, and other kinds of fishes were seen swimming 
swiftly to and fro, and apparently enjoying themselves 
under the shade of the broad leaves, in happy ignorance 
of the encounter between their protectors and their 
piratical enemy. 
The surrounding scenery was strikingly picturesque. 
On all sides of the lake were well-wooded hills, whose 
summits were about fifteen hundred feet above the 
level of the sea. The ancient pile of temples, which 
covered many acres of land, was situated on the northern 
side of the lake, while others of a less pretending cha- 
racter were seen peeping out from amongst the trees on 
every hill-side. 
The lake, covered with flowers, the wooded moun- 
tains, the ancient temples, and the glorious flood of 
light which was scattered over the scene from a clear 
sky, made one almost fancy oneself in some scene of 
enchantment. 
The Nelumbium, or Lien-vjha, is cultivated very 
; extensively in China for the sake of its roots, which 
iare esteemed an excellent vegetable, and are much 
