THE LILIES 
239 
tioned in any enumeration of Norwegian plants ; but it 
grows in all the western parts of Norway, in latitude 59 
degrees and 60 degrees, wherever the ground is free from 
forest, in greater abundance than any other wild-flower." 
It is rather singular that the fragrance of this flower, 
which is, while the plant is fresh, remarkable only for its 
sweetness, possesses, when dried, a powerfully narcotic 
influence. The root, too, of the wood-lily is extremely 
bitter. In Germany the flowers are made into wine. 
Again, there is another flower which we call lily — the 
lily of the brook (Nymphaea), the nymph or naiad of the 
streams, the very queen of all our wild-flowers. The 
water-lily, with its large round leaf and full blossom, look- 
ing like a white rose, lies upon the bosom of the clear 
waters, and if gathered, showers out the liquid pearls 
from its full cup. It is ephemeral as beautiful. Pro- 
fessor Hooker says of it that it delights in still waters, 
and haunts the quiet recesses of the Highland lakes. It 
is also particularly partial to the shadow of trees. Mrs. 
Hemans has addressed some elegant lines to this flower : 
“ O ! beautiful thou art. 
Thou sculpture-like and stately river queen, 
Crowning the depths as with the light serene 
Of a pure heart! 
Bright lily of the wave 1 
Rising in fearless grace with every swell, 
Thou seem’st as if a spirit meekly brave 
Dwelt in thy cell." 
It is often said of our wild water-lily that it retires below 
the surface of the stream soon after noon, and remains 
there during the night, rising again upon the waters in 
early morning. Those who have been accustomed to 
ramble by moonlight near streams decked with these ala- 
baster vases, know that this is not strictly correct, as many 
of them lie folded above the water. It is possible, how- 
ever, that some may sink ; and it is quite certain that they 
close after the sun has lost its power. 
The white water-lily has a pleasant odour ; and its roots 
are used in Ireland for dyeing brown. The flower with us 
