THE PINK WATER-LILY OF QUEENSLAND.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 4735, 9 October 1886, Page 6 (Supplement)

THE PINK WATER-LILY OF QUEENSLAND.

It is not generally known among bush residents that the beautiful pink water-lily that covers the surface of our lagoons by the acre, and makes a mass of color most refreshing to the eye of the traveller long wearied with seeing nothing but dried brown grass, is tho ' Lily of the Nile' of the ancient Indies, the adored of poets, and tho favorito of the gods. Lotuses grow in the tropical regions of Asia, Africa, Australia, and elsewhere, their chief homo being India, where they grow abundantly, extending as far to the north west as Cashmere, where they are seen to perfection. They not only bear th c loveliest of flowers, they also serve for very useful purposes to both men and animals. Somewhat resembling tulips, but much larger, you can see them in full bloom after the rain in nearly all the lakes and ponds, on the waters of which the smiling pink or white flowers stand upright over tho large graceful green leaves. The lotus is a large flower, 4in. to lOin. in diameter, with vinous smell; its petals are elliptic, concave, and veined. The fruiting torus is 2in. to -tin. in diameter ; the ripe carpels vary from the size of a pea to that of a small cherry. In some parts of India the natives live on lotus seeds. The long, fine filaments contained within the cells of the flower are drawn out, and the thread spun from the filament is used as wicks for the lamps in temples and pagodas. The lotus leaves are very large and round, 2ft. to 3ft. in diameter, membraneous, cupped, and covered with a line bloom or white powder easily rubbed off.

< A Hindoo,' writing about this venerated and favorite flower in a late number of tho 'St. Jame's Gazette' (London)says: — ' The lotus is seen in its. greatest splendor in Cashmere. It is very common on every expanse of water in that country ; the leaves are so large and numerous that in some places they form a green carpet, over which ducks and moor-hens run securely to and fro. When the flowers are in blossom, such places present a beautiful sight. Lilies of various colors and shapes peep from amidst tho green leaves which rest lightly and gracefully on the water, while the magnificent lotus, with its gigantic leaf and tall and quivering- stem, appears in tho midst of this floating garden like a reigning beauty, bowing with modest yet dignified grace ut the homage and admiration of her gaily bedecked courtiers and attendants. Sometimes whole lakes are entirely covered over with them, so that you can hardly see the water underneath. These leaves serve as plates for very poor people, and elephants have a great liking for them as food. In the remote solitary parts of the country you can sometimes see several elephants, half hidden under tho water, lustily devoring lotus leaves and stems. The stalks are 3ft. to 6ft. high, full of spiral vessels, smooth or with small, scattered prickles. In hot weather the stalks are commonly eaten by the poorer classes, and boiled in their curries. The root of the lotus is 2ft. to 3ft. long, and pierced longitudinally with several holes. When boiled it is of a yellowish color and sweetish taste, not unlike turnip. It is believed to be -rood and highly nutritious, and forms a favorito dish with the inhabitants of Cashmere. The lotus is highly venerated by the Hindoos. It is the immediate attribute of Vishnoo, who in Hindoo mythology is represented as seated upon the lotus in the midst of waters. It is also peculiarly sacred to Lakshmi, tho wifo of Vishnoo, who is sometimes called Kamala, or lotus. In the Hindoo theogony tho floating lotus is an

emblem of the world ; tho whole plant signifies both, tho earth and its two principles offecundcitliun. The flower is a favorable offering at the Hindoo temples, where it also enters into all tho ornaments of brass vessels used in the service of the idols. There is a legend that the red lotus was dyed by the blood of Siva that flowed from the wound made by the arrow of Kama, the Indian cupid. The flower has been a favorite theme of tho Indian poets from time immemorial. It has the high honor of being designated in Sanskrit by at least fifty ordinary names besides tho special ones for its varieties, some of them bping very expressive, an 'lake-born,' ' water-born ' ' hundred-leafed.' Sanskrit poets largely use the lotus as the emblem of female beauty. A beautiful face or lovely eyes are compared to the full-blown lotus or the opening buds ; while the tall and quivering stem and the graceful filaments stand for the well-shaped body and the arms.'

Tho plant grows anywhere in coastal Queensland, and there is nothing to hinder anyone who possesses a lagoon of water with a muddy bottom covering it with these gorgeous flowers. Naturally .they prefer deep water, but the success with which the plant grows in tho shallow ponds of the Brisbane Botanic Gardens and at the Bowen Park grounds of tho Acclimatisation Society shows that it is not particular upon that point, and that an artificially-made lagoon is as good as any other. The seeds retain their vitality for many years, and, according to the ancient Egyptian method of propagating them, must bo phiced in balls of muddy clay and chaff, and sunk in tho water.—Queenslander.