The next in order was to view the majestic Victoria regina, which mainly occupied another large tank, and of which it is truly said, "this great Water Lily of the Amazon is the grandest of all aquatics." And yet, notwithstanding the many excellent descriptions the most accomplished and racy writers have given of its regal splendor, they nevertheless, with all their graphic powers, signally fail to properly portray its grandeur. Like the magnificent spectacle of a tropical sunset, it must be seen to realize how grandly gorgeous is the glory thereof. To my flower-loving friends, I would kindly advise them to pay a visit there during the coming summer, and a pleasant chat with the successful cultivator, who has for years made a specialty of growing aquatics, and is consequently familiar with all that is known about their management; besides being well versed in the mythical lore and fascinating legends, with which the historian, poet and novelist have surrounded them, is an excellent treat, well worth walking many miles to enjoy.

After examining with the greatest interest imaginable, more pretty things than I have men-tioned, there was still reserved for my admiration and astonishment, as a grand finale, I suppose, to the many rare sights I had already seen. To give an idea as a preface to the prospective pleasure the gentleman had in store for me, I must quote his own perspicuous language, verbatim, to wit: " I have something specially interesting to show you ; I think it is the most wonderful exhibition of plant life to be found outside of the tropics. It consists of a plantation of Nelumbium speciosum, naturalized in a mill pond, over which I have control, two miles from here. It covers about half an acre, and the growth is most marvelous. I measured one leaf yesterday, which was three feet in diameter, on a stalk five feet high. And many leaf stalks and flower stalks are six and seven feet high. Some mornings there have been more than one hundred noble flowers open at once." Inducements so irresistible were gladly accepted, and in company with his brother-in-law, the Rev. Dr. Pease, a missionary at the Caroline Islands, then on a visit to his sister, Mrs. Sturte-vant - and who happily proved to be one of the most agreeable and intellectual companions possible - and while eagerly listening to his experience as a devoted missionary among the heathen, and to his interesting description of the remarkable fauna* and flora of the Islands, we pleasantly made our way, in care of our smiling cicerone, to view the the unparalleled flowery scene.

No cool September morning could possibly be more favorable for enjoyment than this was, especially after the intense heat which for some time previously had been well nigh unbearable, and had been delightfully tempered with copious and refreshing showers. The country roads and lanes were gently winding before us, with the rain washed grass bordering the sides of the wagon way, and from which, in picturesque profusion, grew many handsome wild flowers, bespangled with dew. As prominent and conspicuous symbols of approaching autumn, were several species mainly relied upon for the general supply of food.

* The species of quadrafauna, Lndigenious to the group of islands, are few In number, and small in size ; while the ava fauna is more extensive, and of brilliant plumage. There is much arborescent growth, of a varied character, some of which attains to fair-sized timber trees; beneath which, dense masses of graceful ferns closely cover the ground. The Artocarpus, or Breadfruit, and Cocoanut trees, bear abundantly. Of useful herbaceous growth is the Pandanus fruit, of which the natives distinguish sixty varieties, which have an acid flavor; while one species is decidedly sweet. The Banana too, freely yields immense crops of wholesome fruit. But Yams, and Taro, a species of Caladium, are of Solidago, or golden rod; Vervain, Eupatori-um, Achilla, Astragalus, Rudbeckia, Elecampane, Vernonia, Gnaphalium, etc.; with some pretty kinds of Asters, which were then in the zenith of their glory. In this instance, these comely wayside flowers were not "born to blush unseen." As we passed along the road, from many a trellis and arbor, about the cosy cottages and comfortable farm houses, came the fruity or vinous smell of ripe grapes; while the thrifty orchards were redolent with the pleasant odor of mellow, rosy-cheeked apples and peaches, which in the greatest abundance were bending the boughs.

Through rural scenes like these where everybody seemed prosperous and happy, we approached the romantic leafy spot among the bushes - through which we made our way by descending zigzag paths to a secluded dell through which ran a clear brook, and by banking up across its course, lower down, was formed a large lake-like mill-dam. By the tree fringed margin of which, in measured monotony, rumbled the mill. Much amazed with the beautiful and astounding sight so suddenly presented on reaching the bottom of the flowery glen, I silently looked on for a while, unable to express my delight and surprise which the scene occasioned. Our guide having provided himself with a water-proof suit to put on when gathering water flowers, which are readily disposed of among the Philadelphia florists - waded into the water among uncountable numbers of large peltate, shield-like foliage, borne on footstalks varying from three to five feet high and above which, waved the many tall and splendid rosy tinted floral scepters of the famed Nelumbium speciosum. One of these, when laid at my feet, measured over eight feet in length. It was both interesting and amusing to watch them while moving and swaying about, with the balmy zephyrs wantonly playing among the sweet flowers.

The leaves gently yielding to the soft pressure, seemed to gracefully bow, with more becoming elegance and ease than either the polite Brum-mell, or courteous Chesterfield were capable of, in their true allegiance to the life giving sun-god above, to which all mutually turned.

Convincing proofs were before me that I had realized all, and even more than was promised, and, as was to be expected, I felt highly pleased with what I had seen. Their luxuriant growth plainly indicated how thoroughly they were acclimated, or naturalized, where they had passed through two severe winters unhindered. With these facts before us, it is to be hoped we shall see a more extensive cultivation of them in the future, as in any fair sized tub, tank, aquarium, pond, or water hole, they may be grown.

In regard to this ancient and historical plant, we may infer from the statement of such an observant and well informed person as was the late J. C. Loudon, that "the holy Cyamus, or Pytha-gorian bean of antiquity, is the product of the Nelumbium, a stately aquatic, which abounds in all the hotter countries of the East, where the roots are frequently used as food." That many sentimental writers have often seen fit to laud the lovely | Water Lilies is well known; and that two of the most popular authors of their time did not deem these elegant flowers beneath their notice, is ! evident, from the following remark :

"The water lily in the light Her chalis raised in silver bright,"

Was undoubtedly N. album, which Scott must have frequently found floating on the bosom of many a pellucid pool, tranquil lake, or lonely forest mere, so common to the sequestered glens of the land of the heather bell and bonnie broom.

While another enraptured poet, possibly Moore, than whom, none could discern and gather.

["Fancy's brilliant flowers" more skilfully than himself essays to unite in poetic wreaths with the real ones. These were plentiful about the remarkable waterfalls, picturesque cascades and fountains in the Vale of Cashmere, celebrated for its romantic beauty; and who, when enamored with the angelic charms of some eastern maid, naturally invokes, as guileless witnesses to his ardent passion, in poetic fancy, of course, "The flowers of the valley all bending with dew, And the sweet water lily of exquisite blue;" This lovely blue, star-like flower, travelers in that country have oftentimes admired, I suppose, would be N. stellata. And no more flowery theme, I opine, could possibly be chosen than to extol the transcendent beauty with so pleasantly suggestive a name, as our native rosy sweet-scented aquatic the famed Water Lily of Cape Cod, N. odorata roseum, of which kind, Mr. S. grows largely. And it yet remains for some gentle bard to softly sound his lute, and sing a melodious lay to so fair a flower.

In summing up these desultory remarks, I must truly admit that the refulgent glory of the Nymphaeas, Nelumbiums, and other interesting plants, were, on the day I went to see them, too beautiful ever to forget. And while penning my impressions of them, in imagination, I see them still as lovely as when I actually gazed upon them, borne above, or floating upon the glassy surface of the water, which glistened in the beams of the morning sun. The subtle shades of exquisite coloring, which showed the marvellous touches of the Master, no earthly artist could imitate; and the beauty of which, for want of proper language to express the magnificence thereof, I am compelled to abruptly close the subject. Mount Holly, N. J.