CRYSTAL PALACE AT SYDENHAM. 



converts every vegetable product that will bear such infliction, into the shape and form 

 of vegetable sculpture. It is to be hoped that, under the management of their present 

 possessors, and now that there is no lack of head room, their lu-anches will be permit- 

 ted to expand in all the irregular beauty of a natural tree, when they will certainly bo 

 the most beautiful and interesting objects in the whole vegetable collection of the crys- 

 tal palace. 



We were much struck with the surprising beauty and healthiness of the numerous 

 baskets of flowers that were suspended from the girders, some of them on a level with 

 and some of them above the galleries. We counted nearly three hundred of these 

 baskets, which are made of wire, and suspended by strong wire cord from the girders 

 and braces. They were filled with all kinds of bedding-out plants, many in full bloom 

 — such as Petunias, Heliotropes, Tropreolums, Verbenas, Fuchsias, Geraniums, &c. — in 

 the most perfect health and luxuriance. We observed some of what we usually call 

 "climbing plants" hanging some fifteen or twenty feet down from the basket, and hav- 

 ing a most charming effect. On the braces and columns, also, creepers and climbers 

 are planted — such as the Bignouias, Wistarias, Tasconias, &c. — which, in course of 

 time, will clamber over portions of the building, and line with a grateful shade the 

 great arches of nave and transept, and give the palace and the objects within it more 

 quiet beauty and reposing effect. 



The south end of the palace contains collections of plants, consisting of Acacias, 

 Camellias, Azalias, Rhododendrons, the rare and delicate Conifera;, and other conserva- 

 tory plants, among which the New Holland plants are very conspicuous. An attempt 

 has been made, though from necessity a very unsuccessful one, to give a national or 

 tropical character to the grouping of the plants, as well as to the animals; but, 

 although this would be a much desired object, yet even here very little has been 

 accomplished toward that end, except in so far as a promiscuous collection of plants 

 are assimilated, as far as position and other circumstances will admit, to the produc- 

 tions of the country which is represented. Thus, in the portion of the transept facing 

 the Egyptian court, we find the beds filled with Egyptian Palms and other plants 

 indigenous to that country. One very peculiar and curious production is exhibited in 

 this section, viz., two curious-looking plants called " Elephant's Foot," Avhich are, we 

 believe, the largest specimens ever brought to Europe, and were imported from the 

 Cape of Good Hope by the company to which they now belong. This plant is said to 

 be the longest-lived of any vegetable product, and these specimens are said to be three 

 thousand years old. This portion of the palace is divided off" from the rest by a screen, 

 and is kept at a higher temperature solely for the growth of tropical plants ; and hero 

 we find, therefore, all those hot-house productions which will not bear the cool and 

 temperate atmosphere of the other portions of the palace, among which are manv 

 beautiful Palms. In this part of the building also, there is a large water-taidc, in 

 which are flourishing Nymphaias, Nelumbiums, the beautiful Victoria regia^ and many 

 other fine aquatics. The water in this tank is warmed by hot-water pipes running 

 around the sides. But as we will take some notice of the immense heating ajipai-atus 

 of this place in another letter, we will pass this matter for the present, and conclude 

 our notice of the plants. 



have stated that the arrangement of the horticultural department is very 



nting, and we have the satisfaction of knowing that we are not singular 



