EMBELLISHMENTS. 397 



abroad. The skeleton or frame-work of the arbor or house 

 is formed as we have just stated ; over this small rods half 

 an inch in diameter are nailed, about an inch from centre 

 to centre ; after the whole surface is covered with this sort 

 of rustic lathing, a quantity of the softer wood-moss of 

 different colors is collected ; and taking small parcels in 

 the hand at a time, the tops being evenly arranged, the 

 bottoms or roots are crowded closely between the rods with 

 a small wooden wedge. When this is done with some 

 little skill, the tufted ends spread out and cover the rods 

 entirely, showing a smooth surface of mosses of different 

 colors, which has an effect not unlike that of a thick 

 Brussels carpet. 



The mosses retain their color for a great length of time, 

 and when properly rammed in with the wedge, they cannot 

 be pulled out again without breaking their tops. The 

 prettiest example which we have seen of a handsome 

 moss-house in this country, is at the residence of Wm. H. 

 Aspinwall, "Esq., on Staten Island. 



A prospect tower is a most desirable and pleasant 

 structure in certain residences. Where the view is com- 

 paratively limited from the grounds, on account of their 

 surface being level, or nearly so, it often happens that the 

 spectator, by being raised some twenty-five or thirty feet 

 above the surface, finds himself in a totally different 

 position, whence a charming coup d'asil or bird's-eye view 

 of the surrounding country is obtained. 



Those of our readers who may have visited the de- 

 lightful garden and grounds of M. Parmentier, near 

 Brooklyn, some naif a dozen years since, during the life- 

 time of that amiable and zealous amateur of horticulture, 

 will readily remember the rustic prospect-arbor, or tower 



