THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 237 



spotted and mottled leaves, for the summer ; Carludovica palmata 

 and plicata ; Croton pictum, C. pictum variegatum, and C. discolor; 

 Curculigo recurvata ; some species of the genus Dieffenbachia. The 

 Ficus elasticus is a very elegant plaut for a window ornament, and 

 some years ago was very much employed for that purpose ; but since 

 it has become somewhat common Ficus Chauvieri has been substi- 

 tuted for it in many places. Isolepis gracilis, a pretty rush, is most 

 elegant ; it requires plenty of water. Maranta zebrina — this is the 

 only species of Maranta suitable for cultivation in apartments, as all 

 the others speedily succumb to the hot and dry atmosphere insepa- 

 rable from a living room. Several species of Musa are favourites, 

 but principally M. discolor and M. rosea ; Musa ensete is particularly 

 suitable for window culture, but it is still so scarce, and of such a 

 high price, that it is but seldom met with. Pandanus amaryllifolius. 



Philodendron pertusum was much sought after during the past 

 winter, and has in most places thrived so well that it has given 

 general satisfaction. Several varieties of Dasylirium and Beau- 

 camea are very suitable for rooms, and produce a very beautiful and 

 graceful effect when grown in suspended vases or baskets. Bhopala 

 corcovadensis : this plant exhales a somewhat disagreeable odour, but 

 is nevertheless very much sought after, on account of its veryelegaut 

 and graceful appearance during the development of its young leaves. 

 Tradescantia discolor, Phormium tenax, Rhododendron, Camellia, 

 Grevillea robusta, (Euonymus, Aucuba, Bonapartea, Agaves, etc., etc. 



The family of ferns, although classed among plants with delicate 

 tissues, and having a great dislike to dry hot atmospheres, neverthe- 

 less furnishes numerous examples, which, with careful management, 

 add very much to the beauty of apartuents. Thus I have very 

 frequently remarked several species of Adiantum, which, wherever 

 they can be preserved in good health, produce without doubt a most 

 ravishing effect. Pteris argi/rea, P. cretica albo lineata, and P. 

 serrulata variegata also produce a very fine effect, with their prettily- 

 marked foliage. Alsopliila australis and Balantium antarcticum are 

 also sometimes employed for decorative purposes in rooms of large 

 dimensions, where their magnificent appearance never fails to produce 

 a very imposing effect. 



All kinds of plants bearing flowers have paid their tribute to the 

 ornamentation of rooms, from the humble mignonette, upon which 

 the patient sempstress loves to turn her weary eyes, to the magnifi- 

 cent orchid that, with its brilliant colours and fantastic forms, fills 

 with grace and beauty the apartments of the affluent. 



Until very recently, I had believed that orchids would never 

 flourish if taken from the greenhouse ; but a gardener of my ac- 

 quaintance has introduced them while in bloom into a drawing- 

 room with perfect success, the plants not having suffered in the 

 least by the change of atmosphere. These orchids were species of 

 Ly caste, Cattleya, Yanda, Aerides, etc. 



