Fi>l:EUiN NciTU'K 



TuKra AMI Plants in the New CiinYsxAL Palace at Sydknham, England. — With regaril to 

 the phlnl^« in the interior of tlie palnco, concerning which wo Imvo liitlierto l)ceii nileiit, weliftve 

 now to Stnte tliut wlion we hist saw thoni they gftve prcat promise of a fine effect, and Uiat they 

 were all 'n a satirfaotory state of hcallli. The nohlo Orange treoe, and fur more noble Pome- 

 granate;, from Neiiilly, were most especially deserving of notice. But we have no intention of 

 examining this branch of the great woik until after the succeeding winter. In the meanwhile 

 the reader must rest satisfied with Mr. Piiillh-s' description, which we quote entire: — 



'And first let us speak of those trees and plants which are common to the whole length of this 

 splendid avenue — the Orange and Pomegranate trees — of which there are altogether 110, form- 

 ing a bright perspective of converging green, giving additional effect to the long vista of the 

 nave. Tliese trees, some of which are ton years old, were originally selected from the different 

 palaces of the Orleans family by Louis Phillipe, in order to decorate Neuilly, his favorite resi- 

 dence. When the property of the Orleans family was sold by public auction, this fine collection 

 wa-< purchased by Sir Jo.sErii Paxton for the Crystal Palace Compan}-, much to the regret of his 

 Maje:^ty, the Kmperor of the French, who greatly desired to preserve the beautiful and match- 

 less natural productions for his countrj*. Siispended above the lower galleries, the visitors will 

 notice long lines of baskets filled with fl wera. From these ornamental and floating vases, of 

 which there are uj)wards of 300 in the palace, fall trailing plants. Around and across the col- 

 unms creepers are planted, which in course of time will clamber over every part of the build- 

 ing and line with grateful shade the great arches of nave and transept. Among these creepers 

 will be found the Bignonia, Wistaria, and Tacsonia. 



"Tiie south end of the palace and the south transept contain a selection of plants, consisting 

 chiefij" of Rhododendrons, Camellias, Azaleas, and other choice conservatory plants, most care- 

 fiill\- selected; in the south transept, especially, are arranged the finest specimens of these 

 plants that can be seen. Opposite the Pompeian Court are placed two fine specimens of Aloes, 

 and, conspicuous o[)posite the Birmingham Industrial Court, are two Xorfolk Island Pines 

 Opposite the Stationery Court are two specimens of Moreton Bay Pine, as well as several speci- 

 mens of Ttlopca speciosissima from Australia. Under the first transept may be noticed two 

 remarkably fine ?vorfolk Island Pines, presented by his Grace the Duke of Devonshire. 



"The garden facing the Egj-ptian Court is principally filled with Palms; and on either side of 

 its entrance are two curious plants (resembling blocks of wood) called 'Elephant's Foot;' they 

 are the largest specimens ever brought to Europe, and were imported from the Cape of Good 

 Hope by the Crystal Palace Company. This plant is one of the longest lived of any vegetable 

 product, the two specimens before the visitor being supposed to be 3000 years old. Before this 

 court will be noticed also two fine Indian-rubber plants — a plant that has lately acquired con- 

 siderable interest and value, on account of the variety and importance of the uses to which its 

 sap is applied. Here will also be noticed an old conservatory favorite, though now not often 

 met with, the Sparmannia Africana. Amongst the Palms will be remarked manj- of very ele- 

 gant and beautiful foliage, including the Seaforthia ehgans, one of the most handsome plants of 

 IS'ew Holland, and the ChamaJorea clcgans of Mexico. On the left of the entrance to the 

 Egyptian Court will be seen perhaps. the largest specimen in Europe of the RhipidodenJron plica- 

 tile from the Cape of Good Hope. Opposite the central entrance to the Greek Court, and in 

 front of the beds, are two veriegated American Aloes. The beds are filled with a variety of 

 conservator}' plants, and have a border of Olive plants. In front of the Roman Court will be 

 observed, first, on either side of the second opening, two large Norfolk Island Pines, presented 

 by her most gracious Majesty, and Ilis Royal Highness Prince Albert. The beds, like those before 

 the Greek Court, are principally filled with Camellias and Rhododendrons, and are also bordered 

 by several small specimens of the Olive plant. Between the two foremost statues, at the angles 

 of the pathway leading to the second opening, are placed two specimens of the very rare and 

 Biiall plant, which produces the winter bark of commerce, and which is called Bnjmui Wmteri. 

 The garden in front of the Alhambra is devoted to fine specimens of the Pomegranate. Having 

 passed the Alhambra, we find the garden of the whole of this end of the building devoted to 

 tropical plants, including a most magnificent collection of different varieties of Palms. 

 "Between the sphinxes are placed 16 Egyptian Date Talms, {F/ianix dactyHftra,) r 



