246 THE PAEKS AND GAEDBNS OF PARIS. [Chap. XV. 



Palms for indoor-culture. Cocos coronata and flexuosa are very- 

 elegant, and produce a charming effect. Latania borbonica is 

 certainly one of the most valuable plants of this family, as much 

 for the deep yet fresh green of its leaves as for its hardiness and 

 elegant appearance. Phoenix dactylifera, leonensis, and reclinata 

 are very much sought after, and are highly esteemed, as are also 

 Areca alba, lutescens, and rubra. 



The following Palms could be used with great advantage in the 

 decoration of apartments ; but their high price and great rarity 

 cause them to be not much known, although they accommodate 

 themselves to the atmosphere of rooms as well as any of those 

 previously mentioned. Areca sapida, most of the species of the 

 genus Caryota, Chamaedorea amazonica and elatior, Chamserops 

 Palmetto, Elseis guineensis, Euterpe edulis, with its finely-serrated 

 and very graceful foliage ; Oreodoxa regia, young plants of which 

 are very frequently used ; Phoenix pumila. Phoenix tenuis, Thrinax 

 argentea and elegans, Ehapis flabelliformis, and Leopoldina 

 pulchra. 



Next in importance to the Palms we must place the Dracaenas. 

 Those which are the most frequently noticed are Dracaena 

 australis, cannaefolia, congesta, indivisa, indivisa lineata, rubra, 

 stricta, terminalis, and umbraculifera. Those most easily managed, 

 and therefore the most popular for window-ornaments, are Dracaena 

 congesta, rubra, and .terminalis. Pandanus utilis, amaryllifolius 

 Vandermeerschi, and javanicus variegatus ; Cycas revoluta, and 

 varieties of Aspidistra, occupy also a very important place in the 

 decoration of apartments. 



The plants composing the following list, although suitable and 

 distinct in appearance, require somewhat more care and attention 

 than the preceding. Several species of Aralia, more especially 

 Aralia Sieboldii ; Bambusa japonica variegata and B. fortunei 

 variegata ; the different varieties of Begonia ; most of the Brome- 

 lias, Billbergias, and allied families are very useful, including the 

 variegated Pine-apple, which forms a splendid object for placing 

 in large warm rooms on special occasions. Caladium odorum, for 

 winter decoration, and the species with the beautifully-spotted 

 and mottled leaves, for the summer ; Carludovica palmata and 

 plicata ; Croton in variety, Ourouligo recurvata, and several species 

 of the genus Dieffenbachia. Ficus elastica is a capital plant for 



