Became Garden of Madrid. 239 



to the spot where each class, order, and genus began, that the 

 number of the beds might not be lost, and might correspond 

 with that of the systematic catalogue in manuscript, of which 

 there are two copies. This catalogue was written by the author 

 of this sketch in 1815, having before him the printed 

 catalogues of the best gardens of Europe; and is arranged ac- 

 cording to the sexual system, suppressing, however, the fol- 

 lowing classes — dodecandria, monoecia, dioecia, and poly- 

 gam ia. 



The upper plot is appropriated principally to the cultivation of 

 ornamental plants, and its walks to the reception during the sum- 

 mer of those plants which, from the middle of October to the 

 middle of April or beginning of May, require to be kept in the 

 green-houses. In consequence of this, though it is also divided 

 into four quarters, the divisions are more numerous, and there- 

 fore smaller, and their interior division is changed, at least, 

 once every two years, forming various figures in them, some 

 regular, and others irregular. The transverse walks are 

 considerably less wide than those of the two lower plots, and 

 are all planted with umbrageous trees and fruit-trees alter- 

 nately, whose shade in summer protects the flower-pots which 

 are placed in the walks. These divisions are enclosed by 

 fences made of rose-trees of various descriptions ; as cabbage 

 rose, red China rose, white rose, and others ; while the circular 

 plots of the crossings are crowned with a border in the manner 

 of a garland, formed either of lavender, thyme, cat's thyme, 

 sage, savory, sea-thrift, woolly-leaved mouse-ear, or others, and 

 have in the centre a tree remarkable either for its handsome 

 top or for its flowers. At each of their extremities there is a 

 small wood planted irregularly, in the English fashion ; and 

 at the upper side of the division are two green-houses, 

 170 feet long by 30 wide, running from north to south, and 

 presenting a handsome vista when seen from the promenade 

 of the Prado. They are joined by the portico which we have 

 said terminates the principal walk, and by two small par- 

 terres, situated between the extremities of each, and a vine 

 bower. Each parterre has a little fountain, which furnishes 

 water for all the squares in its side. The flower-pots are 

 watered with watering-pots made of tin, which are filled at a 

 beautiful fountain occupying the centre of a circular plot, 

 which is almost in the middle of the large one, and at the 

 junction of the four principal walks. In each of these two 

 plots there are four stone seats, placed under the shade of the 

 tufted trees which surround them, and which invite to repose 

 those visitors who in the morning and evening of spring 



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