1854.] OF THE ROYAL INSTITUTION, — 409 
in length from fourteen to twenty inches and a half. For 
flowering plants a more loamy soil is desirable, less moisture, a 
greater volume of air, and more or less exposure to the direct 
rays of the sun. But that they can be grown just as successfully 
as ferns is proved by the fact, that in the most smoke-charged 
atmosphere in the east of London, various spring flowers, fairy 
roses, &c. flowered, year after year, most luxuriantly, and remained 
in flower much longer than they do in our country gardens. For 
cactuses and succulent plants a dry sandy soil and direct sunlight 
are necessary. In short, the isolating glass covering enables us to 
obtain in these cases a climate within a climate, a little world 
within a world. 
As regards design and dimensions, the cases may be varied to 
an indefinite extent. [Attention was here directed to the sugges- 
tive diagrams by E. W. Cooke, A. R. A.] It is desirable, in order 
to obtain a light and elegant appearance, that the trough should 
be shallow; increase of surface for the growth of plants being 
gained by some picturesque central elevation. For hints, however, 
in reference to this part of the subject Mr. Ward’s little work * 
may be advantageously consulted. 
The applications of these cases are various. The first and one of 
the most important is to the growth of plants in towns and cities ; 
the citizen being enabled by them to enjoy the constant prospect 
of ferns and flowers, instead of looking out upon dingy tenements. 
They may not only be used as beautiful window-blinds ; but a case 
of larger dimensions may be built out from a library or breakfast 
parlour, in which, by aid of moderate artificial heat during the 
winter, plants of warmer climates may be associated with those 
of this country. Not only may they be made to occupy window- 
recesses, but the spaces between and at the sides of windows, 
which under the present system of domestic architecture are usually 
so dark as to be unavailable for pictures or any other purpose, 
might be converted into Wardian cases, in which plants and 
animals might be associated. Such an arrangement would be the 
source of constant interest to the mind, and would, at the same 
time, render the room lighter and consequently healthier and more 
cheerful. Modifications of the plan such as have just been sug- 
gested are, however, adapted only for those of tolerably ample 
means. Now the cultivation of plants has ever been peculiarly 
the poor man’s luxury. To the taste and love for nature which he 
often exhibits, these cases may be made to minister; for they may 
be constructed at a very trifling expense, and the plants that 
would flourish in them, the primrose and anemone in spring, the 
wood-sorrel, the pimpernel, the common ivy which may be trailed 
over any part of the case, and the commoner kinds of fern may 
* On the Growth of Plants in closely-glazed cases, by N. B. Ward, F.R.S. 
published by Van Voorst, Second Edition, 
