in 



much of the minute and charming flora of the 

 woods and mountains. Over this rock may trail 

 the fragrant sprays of the twin-flower ; here, at 

 the base, a carpet of partridge-vine may be 

 pierced by the wild-wood and meadow-lilies, and 

 there a soldanella or Alpine gentian flash beside 

 the fronds of an English fern. Then, its con- 

 stant variety, and the inconceivable amount of 

 plants it will contain ! And how they develop 

 and thrive among the rocks, where the roots 

 have only to dive down to keep cool ! I speak 

 of the rock-garden as distinguished from the 

 " rockery " that embellishment to be found in 

 company with the geranium-bed, surrounded by 

 whitewashed stones ; and iron stags or grey- 

 hounds standing guard over the growth of a hop- 

 vine up a mutilated Norway spruce. With the 

 " rockery " we are all familiar that nightmare 

 of bowlders, that earthquake of stones dumped 

 out on to the hottest portion of the lawn, with a 

 few spadefuls of soil scattered among them. 

 Into this scant pasturage, where even a burdock 

 would cry out for mercy, dainty plants are turned 

 to graze. Fancy the rude shock to a glacier- 

 pink or a Swiss harebell ! The bowlder with a 

 " pocket " is always at a premium, and within 

 this parched receptacle, where nothing but Se- 

 dum acre or the common saxifrage could sub- 



