THE LILIES 
241 
and its flower is much valued by the Hindoos, and con- 
secrated by them to one of their deities. Its leaves serve 
them for many domestic purposes, as they cover their 
tables with them, and eat their food from the smaller 
ones; while flowers and fruit are presented to the stranger 
in a simple basket made of the lotus leaf. It has been 
said by one well acquainted with the Ganges and its 
banks : “ The rich and luxuriant clusters of the lotus float 
in quick succession upon the silvery current. Nor is it 
the sacred lotus alone which embellishes the wavelets of 
the Ganges. Large white, yellow, and scarlet flowers 
pay an equal tribute ; and the prows of the numerous 
native vessels navigating the stream, are garlanded by 
long wreaths of the most brilliant daughters of the par- 
terre. India may be called a Paradise of flowers. The 
most beautiful lilies grow spontaneously upon the sandy 
shores of the rivers, and from every projecting cliff some 
shrub dips its flowers in the wave below.” 
But although we have thus lingered over several flowers 
called by the general English name of lily, some of the 
plants which have been mentioned have little affinity to 
each other^ except it be the white tint by which many 
of their blossoms are characterised. The family of tall 
garden flowers which are named lily (Lilium) are some 
of them intensely white, and received their name from 
the Celtic word “ lis,” which signifies whiteness. Old Ben 
Jonson, who had a poet’s love for the beauties with which 
earth is covered, admired the lily : 
It is not growing like a tree 
In bulke, doth make man better be ; 
Or standing long an oake, three hundred yeare, 
To fall a logge at last, dry, bald, and seare : 
A liilie of a day 
Is fairer farre in May, 
Although it fall, and die that night. 
It was the plant and flowre of light.” 
“ Fair as the lily ” is a comparison suitably applied, 
when the tall white garden lily (Lilium candidum) is re- 
ferred to. This plant is a native of the Levant, and some 
other r^oderately-warm climates. It is one of the most 
