j j 8 Floral Decoration of Apartments in Pans. 



rosea ; Musa ensete is particularly suitable for window culture, but 

 it is still so scarce, and of such a high price, that it is but seldom 

 met with. Pandanus amaryllifolius. Philodendron pertusum was 

 much sought after during the past winter, and has in most places 

 thriven so well that it has given general satisfaction. Several 

 varieties of Beaucarnea are suitable for rooms, and produce a 

 very beautiful and graceful effect when grown in suspended vases 

 or baskets. Rhopala corcovadense ; this plant exhales a some- 

 what disagreeable odour, but is nevertheless very much sought 

 after, on account of its very elegant and graceful appearance 

 during the development of its young leaves. Hecktia pitcairni- 

 folia is capital for suspending in baskets, and some of the Bro 

 melias stand well in rooms, and are very useful. Tradescantia 

 discolor, Phormium tenax, Rhododendron, Camellia, Grevillea ro 

 busta, Euonymus, Aucuba, Bonapartea, Agaves, &c., are also fre 

 quent. As flowering plants the varieties of Epiphyllum truncatum 

 are most extensively used. 



The family of Ferns, although classed among plants with delicate 

 tissues, and having a great dislike to dry hot atmospheres, never- 

 theless furnishes numerous examples which, with careful manage- 

 ment, add very much to the beauty of apartments. Thus I have 

 very frequently remarked several species of Adiantum, which, 

 wherever they can be preserved in good health, produce without 

 doubt a most ravishing effect. Pteris argyrea, P. cretica albo lineata, 

 and P. serrulata variegata also produce a very fine effect, with their 

 prettily marked foliage. Alsophila australis and Dicksonia ant- 

 arctica are also sometimes employed for decorative purposes in 

 rooms of large dimensions, where their magnificent appearance 

 never fails to produce a very imposing effect. Nephrolepis ex- 

 altata is universally useful, and stands the air of rooms without the 

 slightest injury. 



All kinds of plants bearing flowers have paid their tribute to 

 the ornamentation of windows, from the humble mignonette, 

 upon which the patient sempstress loves to turn her weary 

 eyes, to the magnificent orchid that, with its brilliant colours and 



