FLO UAL ANTIQUITIES OF THE EAST. 209 
that the seeds resemble millet, whereas they are of the size 
of a bean. “ This bread, made from the seeds of this 
lotos,” says Pliny, “ is worked with water or milk. 
There is not any bread in the world (says report) more 
wholesome and lighter than this, so long as it is hot; 
but once cold, it is hard of digestion, and becomes 
weighty.” 
The curious germination of the seeds of the lotos 
rendered it the emblem of that successive production of 
created beings, taught in the holy Sastras.* In the 
sublime theory of the Brahminical code, the universe 
exists only in idea—or, rather, nature is but a system of 
ideas originating in Brahme, the supreme being, but 
actually or immediately produced by Brahma, the efficient 
creator, from whom, while he exerts his powers of com¬ 
bining ideas, things proceed into being; but when he 
ceases to exert his powers, things created die away, and 
return back to their primary elements. These periods of 
existence and non-existence the disciples of the Yedas 
distinguished in the biblical manner, by the allegory of 
day and night, or the waking and sleeping of Brahma. 
“ When that power awakes—for though slumber be not 
predicable of the sole eternal mind, infinitely wise, and 
infinitely benevolent, yet it is predicated of Brahma 
figuratively, as a general property of life—then has the 
world its full expansion; but when he slumbers with 
tranquil spirit, then the whole system fades away.”t 
It was this plant which the Egyptians bound around 
their altars, and which the virgin priestesses wore in 
wreaths upon their hair. They were gathered with 
* Vide “ Floral Symbols,” page 220. f “ Menu,” ch. i., v. 52. 
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