CHAPTER FIFTY FOUR.
THE BEAN OF PYTHAGORAS.
The discovery of the water-lily was not a thing of recent occurrence.
They had known of its existence before; and more than once had visited the little embayment in the lake, where it chiefly grew.

In fact, it had attracted their attention a few days after their first arrival in the valley--not by its own conspicuousness, for its broad round leaves, spread horizontally upon the surface, could scarce be seen from the shore.

Only when its beautiful pink-white flowers were in bloom, could it be observed at any great distance.
That which had first led them to approach the place where it grew, and examine the plant, was their having noticed a singular phenomenon connected with it; and which for awhile had puzzled all three of them to explain.
The _bed_ of lilies, at that time in full bloom, was visible from the place where they had originally made their encampment; and every morning, just after daybreak, and sometimes also during the day, they were in the habit of seeing some birds disporting themselves near that place in a singular manner--very singular indeed: since these birds appeared to _walk upon the water_! They were tall, long-legged, slender-bodied creatures, and easily distinguished by both Karl and Caspar, as belonging to the family of _rallidae_ or water-hens.
There could be no doubt that they were walking on the water--sometimes slowly, at other times in a quick run--and, what was even more unaccountable than this, they were seen at times to _stand still upon the water_! Ay, and, what might be considered more surprising still, they performed this aquatic feat _upon only one leg_! The thing might have been more mysterious, had not Karl from the first suspected the reason why the laws of specific gravity appeared to be thus contradicted.

He suspected the existence of some plant, whose leaves, lying spread on the surface, perhaps offered a footing for the birds, sufficiently firm to support the weight of their bodies.
The botanist was only reasoning from remembrance.

He had lately read the account published but a few years before of the discovery of the gigantic water-lily of tropical America--the _Victoria Regia_--and remembered how its discoverers had spoken of large birds of the crane family making their perch upon its huge leaves, and thus supported, playing about over the surface of the water, as if the firm earth had been under their feet.
With these facts fresh in his memory, Karl conjectured that the water-hens seen by him and his companions were supported on a similar pedestal, and playing themselves on a like platform.