153 
acquisitions to the garden and conservatory, approach in love¬ 
liness to this native of our Highland lochs and lowland streams ! 
And there is something of elegant luxurious refinement in its 
appearance,—if I may be allowed so to speak of nature ,—for 
flowering as it does, in the noon of Summer, when many spots 
are parched with drought, the Lily is refreshingly beautifr.l, re¬ 
clining on the placid bosom of the water, her fair head pillowed 
on the spreading leaves, and gently undulating, as a tiny 
wavelet glides along the sunlit, glittering surface. The scent 
of the Lily, though faint, is exceedingly sweet; thus adding 
rich qualities to its rare charms. 
The Yellow Water Lily, the Nuphar Lutea, is also beautiful, 
when not thrown into the shade by the peerless loveliness of its 
“ white bosomed” relative. The leaves are equally fine, though 
dilFerent in form, being more aiTOw-shaped; but the flower is 
little more than a fourth part the size of the majestic Nymphtea. 
Many of our water-plants are highly ornamental and interest¬ 
ing ; the tall and rare-flowering Rush may rank next to the Lilv 
in beauty; and the yellow Iris, or water-flag, the delicate 
Arrow-head, purple Loose-strife, and “ foam-like” Meadow¬ 
sweet, with “ the blue and bright-eyed floweret of the brook, 
Hope’s gentle gem, the fair forget-me-not,” deck our river and 
lake banks with their rich enamel of rainbow-hues, and tremble 
in the sunshine, under the light feet of the dragon fl}^, as he 
darts, like a bright meteor, from leaf to flower; while the less 
brilliant but busy bee goes more heavily along, murmuring 
her story of industry and prudent foresight; and the gay 
X 
