254 WINDOW GARDENING 



seems to be better understood in that city than any other, we take the liberty of 

 quoting a few of his statements : 



Palms. 



" These play an important part in the embellishment of apartments in Paris. 



Corypha australis. This plant, although but little known, is destined in a 



short time to occupy a foremost place in the decoration of apartments, where 



it makes itself conspicuous by its peculiar beauty, and the number of its leaves; 



it is, I believe, the most rustic in appearance of all the palms. 



Cocos coronata and flexuosa are very elegant, and produce a charming effect. 

 Chamcerops humilis and excelsa, are two very fine hardy palms; Latania 

 borbonica is certainly the most recherche plant of the family, and is valued as 

 much for the beautiful green of its leaves as for its elegant appearance. 



Phoenix dactylifera, leonensis 

 and reclinata are also very 

 much sought after and are 

 highly esteemed. Areca alba, 

 lutescens and rubra are distinct 

 and handsome.' 1 



Ferns. 



Besides what we have said 

 of Ferns in a previous chapter, 

 there is need of little to repeat 

 here. 



Ferns cannot be dispensed 

 with in elaborate decorations for 

 the parlor or conservatory. A 

 Pig. 8. Aiteruanthera. single plant of the common 



Lady Fern, " Athyrium filixfcemina," is as useful in producing a graceful ef- 

 fect as anything we know 



Mr. Chantin in his remarks of Parisian decorations, says: 

 " The family of Ferns, although classed among plants with delicate tissues, and 

 having a great dislike to dry, hot atmosphere, nevertheless furnish numerous 

 examples which, with careful management, add very much to the beauty of 

 apartments. Thus, I have very frequently remarked, several species of Adian- 

 tum, which, wherever they can be preserved in good health, produces, without 

 doubt, a most ravishing effect. 



Pteris argyrea, P. cretica albo lineata, and P. serrulata variegata also pro- 

 duce a very fine effect, with their prettily marked foliage. 



Alsophila anstralis, and Ealantium antarcticum are also sometimes employed 

 for decoration purposes in rooms of large dimensions, where their magnificent 

 appearance never fails to produce a very imposing effect." 



