112 THE PARKS AND GAUDEXS OF PARTS. [Chap. VIII. 



flowers, and so on. On tlie carpets of fresh grass between these 

 various clumps there are isolated trees to give the necessary shade 

 and dignity, and to flower in their season. In nearly every case 

 the stems of these are clothed with climbers, generally Ivy, 

 occasionally Aristolocliia and Clematis. But the grassy carpet is 

 also ornamented by smaller, though not less beautiful things than 

 the large trees just mentioned. It is sparsely dotted with plants 

 having fine leaves, or distinct character, as Acanthuses, large 

 grasses, and Yuccas. 



Between the walk and the tower there is a little lawn, and in 

 one bay of its green carpet, sheltered on three sides, but coming 

 boldly into view from the greater part of the square, is a specimen 

 of the noblest of fine-leaved plants, the great Abyssinian Musa. 

 It is about twelve feet high ; the base appears quite two feet in 

 diameter ; the young leaves made during the season are intact, 

 each of them eight feet long, with a great red tapering midrib, 

 like a huge billiard cue, running from base to point. Believed 

 by the foliage of the trees of our own latitude, it forms a fine 

 object. In the immediate foreground there is a mass of a scarcely 

 less striking plant, the edible Caladium, which springs from a 

 groundwork of Mignonette. In like manner are scattered over 

 the green (the central parts being kept clear to secure a little 

 breadth and repose) striking sj)ecimens or groups of specimens, 

 some of which it would repay the city to grow, if only to give 

 art students living specimens of the finest leaf-forms. 



Amidst the whole stands the famous old tower, its beauty 

 greatly enhanced by being set in a pleasant garden. At every 

 step the square presents a new charm. About this Tour St. 

 Jacques were tried for the first time the Wigandias, now the 

 admiration of so many in both French and English gardens, the 

 Cannas, the Musas, Palms, Ficuses, and others of the better 

 kinds of what may be termed the flora of Parisian gardens. 

 What a change from tlie filth and consequent uuwholcsomeness 

 of its old state ! How diff"erent from the small squares around 

 our churches and monuments ! 



Although our island is in good repute for its natural verdure, 

 there are few of us who would not be persuaded of the necessity 

 of more efficient watering in our public gardens if tlicy had seen 

 the Square Montrouge during the last days of August. To say 



