Table Ornaments. 39 



flower is their principal ornament, and then at some 

 of which foliage is their chief attraction. 



Daily arrivals add to countless hot-house and con- 

 servatory beauties of established character, to which 

 acres of glass would not do justice ; and no one has 

 ventured to limit the numbers which are within reach 

 of persons of even small circumstances, and which 

 are manageable with contracted resources. The 

 lovely novelties which our day has witnessed from 

 Japan call for especial gratitude to that interesting 

 country, whose unexampled advances attract the 

 attention of all Christendom. 



For more than a century Hyacinths' brilliant 

 colours, luscious fragrance, and facility of growth, 

 have made them general favourites for rooms. 

 Tulips, Ranunculi, Jonquils, Narcissus, and somewhat 

 homogeneous plants, have also long sustained high 

 repute ; and a good specimen of any of these is 

 worthy of a place on the table which entertains the 

 noblest guests. Many other plants of comparatively 

 recent introduction make beautiful table ornaments. 

 Some Acacias, such as A. lophantha', A. Drummondi, 

 &c., are easily procured and easily grown, and 

 quickly make handsome specimens, either with or 

 without their bloom. The reader may be reminded 

 of the following, amongst infinite other table plants : 

 Roses, Heaths, Epacris, Rhododendrons, Orchids, of 

 which latter perhaps there is as great variety as of 

 any known plant ; some, and beautiful kinds, requiring 

 little or no artificial heat beyond inclosure under 



