24 THE PARKS AND GARDENS OP PARIS. [Chap. II. 



culture on a vast scale, to the exclusion of interest and variety, 

 and too often of beauty or taste. We have seen how well the 

 pointed, tapering leaves of the Cannas carry the eye upwards ; 

 how refreshing it is to cool the eyes in the deep green of those 

 thoroughly tropical Castor-oil plants, with their gigantic leaves ; 

 how noble the Wigandia, with its fine texture and massive out- 

 line, looks, after we have surveyed brilliant hues and richly 



Giant Knoiweed {Polygonum sackalutense) in the Pare Monceau, Sept, 1877. 



painted leaves ; how too the bold tropical palm-leaves beautify 

 the garden. In a word, the system has shown us the diflfer- 

 ence between the gardening that interests and delights all 

 beholders, and not the horticulturist only, and that which 

 is too often offensive to the eye of taste, and pernicious to 

 every true interest of what has been called the " purest of humane 

 pleasures." 



But are we to adopt this system in its purity — as shown, for 



