FICUS ELASTICA, 
207 
FLORISTS’ FLOWERS. 
—_— 
handsome leaves, and the curious | loam, and they strike readily ‘rom 
manner in which these unroll when 
the plants first appear in spring. 
Some of the exotic ferns, also, are 
very handsome, and hothouses have, 
in many cases, been set entirely 
apart for them. One of the most 
interesting of these is at the seat of 
W. Borrer, Esq., at Henfield, Sus- 
sex; the interior of which is formed 
into caves of freestone, in the crevices 
between which the ferns grow. Ferns 
disposed in this manner would form 
a very elegant ornament for a grotto. 
Exotic Ferns are also the best plants 
for growing in the air-tight glass 
plant-cases, now becoming so fash- 
ionable in large drawing-rooms.— 
See Prant-Cases. 
Ferra‘ria.—Iridie.—Cape tube- 
rous-rooted plants, with very curious 
flowers, and requiring the usual cul- 
ture of similar plants—See Cape 
Buses. 
Frverrew.—See Pyre‘THRuM. 
Fica‘r1a.— Ranunculdcee.—The 
lesser Celandine, or Pilewort. <A 
British perennial, with bright yellow 
flowers, differmg from those of the 
common Crowfoot in their petals 
being pointed. It likes a moist shady 
situation, and will thrive under the 
drip of trees. 
Ficus exa’stica.—The Indian 
Rubber tree. A kind of Fig-tree, 
which yields the East Indian Ca- 
outchouc ; that used principally in 
making the water-proof clothing is, 
however, from Brazil, and is produced 
by Siphonia Cachtichu, one of the 
Euphorbiacee. In both cases the 
trunk of the tree is wounded, and 
there flows from the wound a thick 
milky juice, which, when hardened 
by exposure to the air, becomes the 
Indian rubber. F. eldstica is a fa- 
vourite stove-shrub in England, from 
its large size, and shining leathery 
leaves ; but it very seldom produces 
either fiowers or fruit ; and, when it 
cuttings. 
Fic Maricotp.—See Mesensry- 
A/NTHEMUM. 
Fiewort.—Scrophularia vernd- 
lis—A British plant with yellow 
flowers, growing in moist places. 
Fi'Lices.—One of the natura or- 
ders which includes all the different 
genera of Ferns. 
Fitness in a garden, as in every 
thing else, is of the greatest impor- 
tance in producing a good effect. By 
this term is meant the adaptation of 
plants to the situations fitting for 
them: for example, tall straggling- 
growing plants, which have a very 
fine effect in a shrubbery when 
backed by evergreen shrubs taller 
than themselves, would entirely de- 
stroy the beauty of a small garden, 
laid out in regular beds. In the like 
manner, small plants, however beau- 
tiful they may be, are lost among 
others more robust growing. To 
avoid these imcongruities, the best 
plan is first to ascertain, if possible, 
the habit of growth and general 
appearance of every plant before 
introducing it into a flower-garden ; 
and then carefully to consider the 
situation in which it is likely to look 
best. A little care and attention in 
this respect, with common plants, 
will have more effect in producing a 
beautiful flower-garden, than large 
sums laid out in the purchase of 
showy plants without it. 
Fiac-rtower, or Fleur-de-Luce. 
—English names for the Iris. 
Frax.—See Linum. 
Fiorists’ FLowers are those 
which it has been found may be 
grown to an extraordinary size and 
degree of perfection by taking great 
pains with their culture. The Dutch 
were the first who practised this art 
with their Hyacinths and Tulips; 
but their example has been followed 
by the florists of other countries, 
does, they have no beauty. The| who, as they cultivate their flowers 
plants should be grown in sandy! in the hope of winning prizes with 
