316 ROOMS CAMELLIAS. \_DeC. 



woodsii, chandlerii and dorsetia, as being difficult of ex- 

 panding they are so very full of petals. Those most 

 proper for room culture, are double white, conchiflora, 

 eclipse, jimbriata, florida, imbricata, maliflora, paeoniflora, 

 punctata, Colvillti, rossii, speciosa, variegata and incar- 

 nata. Such will be found to bloom freely and fully : many 

 others might be added, but these will give an idea of those 

 sorts that agree best with room culture. We cannot con- 

 clude our subject without giving our readers some hints on 

 the effect of plants in household apartments. It has been 

 proved that the leaves of plants absorb carbonic acid gas 

 by their upper surfaces, and give out oxygen by their under 

 ones, thereby tending to purify the air in as far as animal 

 life is concerned, because carbonic acid gas is pernicious 

 to animals, and oxygen is what that life requires. It is in 

 the light, however, that these operations are carried on, for 

 in the dark, plants give out carbonic. It does not appear 

 that any of the scentless products given out by plants are 

 injurious to human beings, because those who live among 

 accumulated plants are not less healthy than others, but 

 rather enjoy more uninterrupted health, which, of itself, is 

 a sufficient recommendation for all to spend their leisure 

 moments in so healthful and rational an employment. 



