BOTANICAL. L\«EX. 
05 
Fig. 59. 
genealogy, if you please, of any strange or mystical object first, and we will turn to 
ancient mythology to learn something of these supposed fairy deities. Ancient 
mythology, however, is often very indefinite in its delineation of the origin and 
attributes of some of the fabled deities; or perhaps more properly speaking, the old 
Greeks and Romans have often adopted the oriental and African mythology without 
a full understanding of their supposed attributes, for in all probability the origin of 
these pleasing tales was Asia or Africa, (Egypt). 
We find at the head of mythical genealogy stands Chaos, with her four children ; 
next in succession is Earth, first-born of Chaos, also with her four children; then 
Earth married to Heaven raised a family of seventeen children, whose oldest and 
most beloved son, Oceanos, takes Tethys, one of the Titans, for his bride, and of their 
three thousand daughters (viz., all the lakes, rivers and brooks known to the ancients,) 
Oceanides marrying Jupiter raised a family of fifty daughters — the Nymphs — who 
were the titular goddesses or guardians of the sea, lakes, rivers, mountains, dales, 
groves; in fact, every place known to the ancients was fabled to have one of these 
fairy Nymphs as their protector, with appropriate titles, to which was dedicated 
suitable rites and ceremonies for their worship. The Naiad Nymphs were the par- 
ticular guardians of fresh water, rivers, etc., and as such, are the special objects of 
our notice. 
“The word Nymphcea seems to have originally signified “bride,” and was probably 
derived from the Greek verb “to cover,” or “veil,” which was akin to the Latin 
words nuho and nubes. It was generally applied to married or marriageable young 
ladies, for the idea of youth was always included. It was in this last sense tliat the 
goddess of whom we have been treating was called Nymph. (Anthon’s Classical 
Dictionary.) They were not considered immortal, but often perished with the object 
of their care. The deini-gods and heroes of antiquity were fabled to have been nour- 
ished by them, and many wise men to have been inspired and instructed by them; in 
general they watched with solicitude over the fall of mortals. They participated in 
the councils of the gods on Olympia, and often appeared in their company. The 
Naiads are usually represented in works of art as beautiful young maidens, half 
draped and with long flowing hair, usually leaning upon an urn from which flows 
a stream of water. The word “Naiad” is derived from the Greek verb “to flow,” 
as indicative of the general motion of the water. They were supposed to preside 
over fresh water fountains, streams, brooks and springs, and to inspire those who 
drank of its waters with oracular powers and the gift of poetry. They could also 
restore the sick to health. ( Ancient Mythology .)” 
Of course, all these mythical, fairy tales have a direct bearing upon the religious 
ideas — or perhaps we should say, the superstitious belief — of the people; for there is 
nothing at that early date, outside of the Jewish church, that is now recognized as 
religion. And although we affect to despise these old heathen fables, we still retain 
their names; and these names alone seem to connect the obscure, fabled past with 
