XVlll INTRODUCTION. 



sufficiently air-tight to prevent the escape of aqueous 

 exhalations ; a leaden pipe, pierced with small holes, 

 should therefore be carried round the building, at as 

 great a height as may be found practicable, and this 

 pipe connected with a reservoir, so that an artificial 

 shower could be produced at pleasure ; if an increase 

 of temperature were considered necessary, it might 

 readily be attained by the introduction of hot-water 

 pipes in the usual way. 



So great is the advantage of this plan, that the 

 plants of tropical regions can now be cultivated in 

 London with the most perfect success ; and, what is 

 of still greater importance, may be conveyed, unin- 

 jured by extremes of heat and cold, and without any 

 additional supply of moisture, from the most distant 

 parts of the earth. Mr. Ward, and Messrs. Loddiges 

 of Hackney, have, in their glass cases, transmitted 

 our plants to the most distant countries, and have 

 received the same cases in return filled with valuable 

 exotics, many of which have never previously reached 

 this country in a living state. 



But the most pleasing character of this mode of cul- 

 tivation is, that it can be adapted to any spot that fancy 

 may dictate : plants in this way may be grown in a 

 drawing-room, without ever making the least litter or 

 apparent untidiness, and without the trouble attendant 

 on watering. Tf the cases were opened annually it 

 would be sufficiently often, and the decayed fronds, 

 or a too luxuriant growth, might be removed, and a 

 little water added, if there appeared a necessity for it. 



