HARDY HYBRID WATFTT-MtlES* 
291 
which can be most effectively grouped together in the open air 
in the waters of all the temperate countries, and also in those 
towards the north. 
The first difficulties of hybridisation have now been over¬ 
come ; an impetus has been given to this most interesting 
pursuit ; and there is no doubt that new seedlings and varieties 
more remarkable and more perfect than their predecessors, both 
in form and colour, will shortly arrive on the scene to still 
further enrich the domain of aquaticulture. It is only necessary 
to have experienced the irresistible admiration which one feels 
on seeing a fine group of hybrid Water-lilies to be convinced of 
the leading position which will be assigned in the future to this 
new branch of horticulture. What sight can one imagine more 
imposing or more enchanting than that of a piece of water pro¬ 
fusely peopled by these graceful plants, with their elegant foliage, 
and their corollas diapered with the most brilliant colours, and 
spreading for the space of five months in the year without 
interruption upon the surface of the water, where the slender 
dragon-flies flash the enamel of their scaly armour and reflect 
the splendour of their transparent wings ; where shoals of gold¬ 
fish with their scales of coral and vermilion swim like a 
squadron of ships on a cruise ; with the margins of the pools 
surrounded by luxurious masses of Bamboos, Yuccas, Eulalias, 
Pampas Grass, and other exotic plants which present to the 
charmed gaze the illusion of an entirely oriental situation ! 
The realisation of this magic ideal has excited a universal 
enthusiasm for this new style of gardening, in which England 
shows so much emulation, and occupies the foremost rank on 
account of the number and splendour of her collections. It is 
a fact that the climate of Great Britain is very favourable to 
these plants, for they do not require an excessive amount of 
heat; indeed the flowers, particularly the deep-red ones, often 
suffer in tropical countries from too fierce a sun. It is also to 
be remarked that Water-lilies keep open longer under a cloudy 
sky than under one that is too glaring. One must not, how¬ 
ever, jump to the conclusion from this that they prefer quite 
shaded places, as this would be entirely a mistake. The best 
conditions for their prosperity are plenty of air and light. 
In addition to the delightful ornament which the flowers of 
Water-lilies v furnish for aquatic purposes, they are also most 
