CHAP. VI.] WARDIAN CASES. 57 



abundant flower. We have recently introduced the newly-imported and 

 lovely Soya bella, which is also now in flower ; and the odoriferous Francisco, 

 Hopeana is always ready to refresh us by its scent on opening the door of 

 the case. We have five species of Lycopodia, which gratify the eye by 

 their luxuriant green ; and no less than fifteen or sixteen species of exotic 

 ferns gladden the eye by their charming forms, their verdant foliage, and 

 luxuriant appearance. The leaves of the Maranta bicolor, never soiled by 

 wet, are of surpassing beauty; and several species of Achomenes are 

 rapidly growing, to display their brilliant colours in the latter part of 

 summer. Many of our plants have been in their present situation for 

 ten years, and so the delight which we have had in the observation and 

 cultivation of them in the Wardian case makes us look with increased 

 interest upon those first examples of construction which Mr. Ward has 

 contributed to the Exhibition. 



We take this opportunity of calling attention to the Wardian cases, 

 because, much as their use has increased, still they are not nearly so much 

 employed in large towns as they ought to be. The cultivation of plants is 

 an occupation delightful in itself, and one that is calculated to afford 

 intense pleasure to those who follow the amusement. In that gloomy 

 prison of Pentonville, where the inmates are not allowed from their cell to 

 see a passing cloud, it is recorded that the only pleasure which a prisoner 

 could find was to watch from day to day the growth and flowering of a 

 few pieces of grass, shepherd's purse, chickweed, and groundsel, when he 

 took his daily airing in the little space allotted to his walk. Every London 

 child should have his Wardian case, if on ever so small a scale. The love 

 of the cultivation of plants would grow with the knowledge of their per- 

 fection, and the mind would be led insensibly by the true and natural 

 process of thought from a study of Nature's works to the contemplation 

 of Nature's God. 



And the following account taken from * Instinct and Eeason * 

 will further show my father's observation on this question. 



In this vast metropolis so much poisonous gas and smoke is exhaled 

 from the chimneys of the thousands of houses and manufactories here 

 accumulated together, that the sulphurous acid poisons the plants, and the 

 absence of light is fatal. Under such circumstances, horticulture seems 

 futile ; and yet, when I say that, despite these difficulties, I have now, in 

 the middle of January, lilacs, azaleas, an oncidium, and an epidendrum, in 

 full bloom, it must be acknowledged that even here plants may be grown 

 not altogether in vain, although in less perfection than in the horticultural 

 gardens surrounding London. 



As far as appertains to the foul sulphurous acid and smoke, Ward has 

 taught us that by simply covering the plants with a glass shade, they may 

 be effectually grown. In my dining-room I- have had two of these cases 

 for nine years ; and the plants which I first purchased from Loddige's are 

 still alive. In fact, the luxuriance of their growth is so great, that I am 

 periodically compelled to remove large quantities of the plants. Besides 

 ferns, I attempt the growth of a few flowering plants. I commence with 

 crocuses ; I go on with hyacinths, and an occasional tulip or narcissus. 

 Later in the year the common cereus is generally covered with flowers, 

 affording a gorgeous display. However, this plant generally blooms itself 



