INTRODUCTION. ix 



eight species, besides thirty species of Moss and Lichens 

 galore, that impart an appearance of age to some rockwork 

 here, which stones from the quarry could not have had for 

 some years. 



" We deprecate wood (tree stumps, &c.) for such work 

 under glass, although some people say they are first-rate 

 materials for the purpose, but we have not found them to be 

 such. They may be very well where a collection of Fungi 

 is desired, or to suit the fancy of those who like to do a 

 thing one day and to alter it the next. "Wood rots, and the 

 stones that are above or on it fall, and the work has to be 

 done over again at a time when the plants are about their 

 best. Moreover, the plants do not thrive on them as they 

 will do without them r which no doubt is owing to the 

 venomous threads of the various Fungi that harbour there 

 destroying their roots the very mouth and existence of all 

 plants, terrestrial or epiphytes. 



" Commence the formation of the rock at the ends, so 

 that it will be completed at the door. About 200 tons 

 of rock will be required. They can be brought 011 carts 

 or waggons to the door, thence on a small truck to the 

 place required, and finally placed in position by the aid of 

 a three-legs and blocks. The stones should be laid firm, by 

 no means otherwise. Back stones are a good material for 

 that purpose ; soil lowers too much unless rammed down, 

 which it should not. The soil used under the stones should 

 be of a porous nature. Fix every stone firm, and lay them 

 so as to leave some good-sized openings for soil (some large 

 and some small), and fix the water-pipes as the work 

 proceeds, laying them in such a position as to be examined 

 in case of an accident, and so go on until the whole of the 

 rockwork is completed. 



