Centenary College of Louisiana - Yoncopin Yearbook (Shreveport, LA)

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M 7 t ' Nelumbiums Nelumbium is the technical name for the American lotus, which is found in lakes near Shreveport and is commonly called the Yoncopin. CC VNE of the most strikingly beautiful plants in all the aquatic world i§ J the Lotus, or Nelumbium. The great concave leaves often over two feet in diameter like wonderful green shields borne on stout stems high above the water, are beautiful enough to win general admiration even without their ' thousand-petaled flowers. ' Then too the brown seed-pods, remaining after the flowers have blown, are so decorative that none can pass them by without observing them. A symbol of evolution, it springs from the mud, lifting its golden hearted bloom high over the water that it may open pure and spotless to the sun. Held sacred by the Buddhist it is to him emblematical of the soul of man, resting always in calm above the surging activities of the world; existing in the sunlight pure and undefiled; rooted in a world of experience. Its personal beauty is appealing in leaf, bud and opened flower, its poetic charm in its poise above the water, its perfume, and its symbolic appeal of religious thought. One can readily slip into the past when brought face to face with the open flower. He can in fancy see the kings and queens, the courts and courtiers of ancient Egypt; the priests and devotees of the temples, the scholars and poet6 of that long-ago time; a great company who paid homage, who worshipped and who sang of the royal plant— the Lotus. The spell of the Nile still hovers around the blooms, even while their glory add to the charm of our twentieth century gardens. Courtesy of William Tricker, Water Lily Specialist of Arlington, New Jersey. LIBRARY CENTENARY COLLEGE SHREVEPORT, LA.

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Where the Yoncopins Grow In the sunshiny land where the yoncopins grow, Where there ' s seldom a freeze, and more seldom a snow, Where the sun shines all day and the moon shines all night, And girls are all lovely, anil men are all right- No matter wherever my fortune shall fall. My heart shall still hear and still answe ' the call Of my dear Southern homeland, where er I go- The sunshiny land where the yoncopins grow. LILLIAN HALL TRICHEL. Yoncopin Lilies Southern breezes softly blowing, Moss hung cypress drooping low, Warm, bright water, gently flowing. Where the tall white lilies grow. Held on stems so straight and slender, Beautiful beyond all art, Blossoming in stately splendor, Creamy cup and golden heart. Lights and shadows swiftly playing, Leaves and blossoms seem to sway, Every fragrant flower paying Homage to the new-born day. LILLIAN HALL TRICHEL.

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Judge J. G. Palmer, President. E. E. Cunningham. Vice-President R. P. Bennett, Secretary Capt. H. B. Heakn, Treasurer.