WARDIAN CASES, FERXEBIES, AND JA.RDINIEBES. 159 



CHAPTER XXVI. 

 WARDIAN CASES, FERNERIES, AND JARDINIERES. 



THE forms of plant cases for the growth of such plants 

 as require a moist, still atmosphere, a condition impossi- 

 ble to obtain in a room in a dwelling-house, nor even in 

 a greenhouse, unless it is specially erected for the pur- 

 pose, are numerous. The form commonly known as the 

 Wardian Case (figure 48) has a base or tray, usually of 

 black walnut, about six inches deep, and lined with zinc, 

 and glass sides and top. These differ in size, some 



Fig. 48. WARDIAN CASE. Fig. 49. FERNERY WITH GLASS SHADE. 



being as large as three feet on the sides. .Another neat 

 and cheaper form is made of terra cotta (figure 49), or 

 other earthen ware. These are usually round in shape, 

 and of various sizes, from nine to eighteen inches in di- 

 ameter. In all these the plants must be covered with 

 glass. In the Wardian Case there is glass all around the 

 sides and top, the top being hinged to allow the escape 

 of excess of moisture. In the Jardinieres, or circular 



