42 WINDOW AND PARLOR GARDENING 
loose sand-stones, here higher, there lower, with a gradual 
slope from the middle to the sides. Here and there in this 
fundamental structure leave larger and smaller fissures that can 
be filled with suitable soil. We now select some of the most 
beautiful plants that can be found. A few especially fine 
Aroidez with glossy many-colored foliage; a Fittonia with 
silvery- or golden-veined leaves to hang over an edge here, some 
trailing Tradescantias there or the white-striped Panicum, a 
beautiful grass. A red-fruited Nertera will look well on the 
edge close to the glass, while a small and slender palm, the 
Cocos Weddeliana may rise from a mass of Adiantums or some 
other delicate-leaved fern. We may also have a few decaying 
branches of birch or oak covered with the hair-like masses of 
some filmy fern and rich and vigorous upright-growing Club- 
mosses among a bed of trailing ones. Here some exceedingly 
fine-leaved Achimenes-like plant with modest flowers, and there 
gorgeous Begonias or some bright-colored A’chmea or Tilland- 
sia. After planting, this varied collection should be well looked 
after; the watering must be carefully done and the plants 
should be sprayed daily except the ferns. The projecting rocks 
must be kept constantly moist and the temperature as equable 
as possible, and varying as little on any side of sixty-five to 
seventy degrees as practicable. The terrarium should be placed 
close to a light window, where in case of a strong sunshine it 
can be shaded, and proper ventilating must never be forgotten. 
A terrarium constructed somewhat in this way would not be 
likely to give much trouble, but a vast amount of pleasure and 
instruction could be had by watching the daily growth of the 
flora of this miniature world. 
Among the numerous plants for this purpose, the following 
selection will be found suitable: Dvracenas: Any neat and 
