68 
SWEET SCENTED WATER LILY. 
mud; the stocks that support the leaves and blossoms are round, of 
an olive-green, containing open pores filled with air, which cause 
them to be bouyed up in the water. These air-cells may be distinctly 
seen by cutting the stems across. 
The leaves of the Pond-Lily are of a full-green colour, deeply 
tinged with red toward the fall of the year, so as to give a blood red 
tinge to the water; they are of a large size, round kidney shaped, 
of leathery texture, and highly polished surface; resisting the action 
of the water as if coated with oil or varnish. Over these beds of 
water-lilies, hundreds of dragon flies of every colour, blue, green, 
scarlet, and bronze, may be seen like living gems flirting their pearly 
tinted wings in all the enjoyment of their newly found existence; 
possibly enjoying the delicious aroma from the odorous lemon 
scented flowers over which they sport so gaily. 
The flowers of the Pond-Lily grow singly at the summit of the 
round, smooth, fleshy scape. Who that has ever floated upon one 
of our calm inland lakes, on a warm July or August day, but has 
been tempted, at the risk of upsetting the frail birch-bark canoe or 
shallow skiff, to put forth a hand to snatch one of those matchless 
ivory cups that rest in spotless purity upon the tranquil water, just 
rising and falling with the movement of the stream • or have gazed 
with wishful and admiring eyes into the still clear water, at the 
exquisite buds and half unfolded blossoms that are springing upwards 
to the air and sun-light. 
The hollow boat-shaped sepals of the calyx are four in number, 
of a bright olive green, smooth and oily in texture. The flowers do 
not expand fully until they reach the surface. The petals are numerous, 
hollow (or concave), blunt, of a pure ivory white ’ very fragrant, 
