140 Introduction of Zoological Objects i?ifo Flower-Gardens. 



Art. IX. On enlivening Flotver or other small Gardens that surround 

 Dvoelling-houses, by Means of Zoology. By Th. Nietner. Trans- 

 lated from the Garten Zeitung, No. 4-5., for Nov. 1836. 



The following idea will, perhaps, at first sight appear whim- 

 sical, and will be laughed at by many; but those who understand 

 it better, and who are admirers of nature, will be pleased when 

 they see her combinations imitated. 



The picture which I form to myself of a flower-garden requires 

 it to be filled, to the greatest degree of richness and luxuriance, 

 with all the plants which please and gratify the senses ; and which 

 should be so arranged as to afford the highest enjoyment to the 

 mind ; and, therefore, neither simplicity nor harmony in the whole 

 should be wanting. Openness and clearness of space should 

 also be attended to. But the charms of the flower-garden, as 

 the frequent haunt of men, are heightened when it presents not 

 only the beauties of still life, but is enlivened by those of ani- 

 mated nature ; either by the delightful melody of birds, or by 

 the brilliant colours of butterflies, and numerous other insects, 

 which flutter around the flowers, or crawl over the beds. 



Animated nature everywhere carries with it cheerfulness and 

 delight, and produces in the sensitive man feelings of contem- 

 plation and wonder ! But it is not by means of insects only 

 that the enjoyment of a flower-garden, or of other gardens, is 

 most heightened ; but by one of a hitherto not favourite family 

 of reptiles ; which, however, have always been beloved by me, 

 and which I have always been delighted to find inhabitants of 

 the garden. This reptile is neither more nor less than the leaf- 

 frog, JSana arborea. (See Vol. XII. fig. 47.) 



An unusual number of leaf-frogs were seen here (Berlin) 

 last summer, from what cause I cannot pretend to say; but it is 

 a fact that was observed by many persons. In the month of 

 May, when the plants were unfolding their buds to new life, 

 and the soil covered with a lively green, I had the opportunity 

 of obtaining thirty leaf-frogs from the pleasure-ground which 

 surrounds the king's palace. I put them in the flower-garden 

 which surrounds my house ; and, as the year advanced, I obtained 

 more, till the number might be said to amount to 150. 



Whether they were not comfortable in their new situation, or 

 whether it was from instinct, I do not know, but I found the 

 greater part of them generally sitting on those plants that had. ■ 

 either large and soft, or stiff leaves. They particularly fre- 

 quented the Herkcleuni, jRheum, Lophospermum, Canna, i2ho- 

 dodendron, and Hydrangea. 1 sometimes observed two of 

 them sitting on one leaf sunning themselves. However agree- 

 able to me these harmless creatures were, even when silent, I 

 was much more delighted when the approaching warm weather 

 caused their voices to be heard. Rain was not, indeed, always 



