AIRY tales and legends are the peculiar gifts of semi- 
civilized people in all portions of the world, which 
only differ in point of interest just in proportion to 
the scale of advancement attained by the different 
people, together with the conditions and character 
of their surroundings; and this has always been a 
prominent trait of the human family, particularly 
with those people living within the semi-tropics, 
from the dawn of history. And although only a small por- 
tion of these early traditions, legends and tales are pre- 
served — and usually thev are in fragmentary form — still 
enough is known of them to demonstrate the brilliant power 
of imagination in the untutored mind. But ancient tradi- 
tion and ancient mythical, fairy tales are so completely 
blended together, that it is almost impossible to separate 
one from the other. Indeed, to such an extent are they 
seemingly one great, inseparable unit, that nearly all our 
finest ancient literature is looked upon with a skeptical eye 
by some of our most learned men ; however, careful inves- 
tigation, aided by the great discoveries of the past few 
years, are fast bringing order out of chaos in ancient 
history. 
We have already seen (July number, 187S. Index,) that 
Water Lilies have received from time immemorial the very 
appropriate appellation of Nymphcea, Fairy Goddess of the 
Water, etc., in allusion to their charming, fairy-like appear- 
ance; and although this title was applied to all aquatic 
plants in common, it was especially applied to the true 
Nymphcea, from its peculiar manner of growth. But it is 
always interesting to learn something of the antecedents or 
