Chap. XV.] WmTER GARDENS. 247 



window-ornament, and some years ago was very much employed 

 for that purpose; but since it has become somewhat common, 

 Ficus Chauvieri has been substituted for it in many places. 

 There are many other Ficuses which are suitable for this purpose, 

 and will be found most useful when they become plentiful enough. 

 Maranta zebrina is the only species of Maranta suitable for 

 cultivation in apartments, as all the other species should be grown 

 and kept in the houses, and only carried indoors when extra 

 attractions are desired for special occasions. Several species of 

 Musa are favourites, but principally M. discolor and M. rosea ; 

 Musa Ensete is particularly suitable for room-culture. Monstera 

 deliciosa was much sought after during recent winters, 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. Ehopala corcovadense is a plant that 

 exhales a somewhat disagreeable odour, but it is nevertheless much 

 in favour on account of its very elegant and graceful appear- 

 ance during the development of its young leaves. Hecktia 

 pitcairnifolia is excellent for suspending in baskets. Tradescantia 

 discolor, Phormium tenax, Ehododendrons, Camellias, Grevillea 

 robusta, Euonymus, Aucubas, Bonapartea, Agaves, variegated 

 Yuccas, etc., are also frequent. In addition to the common 

 Saxifraga sarmentosa, which is frequently seen with its slender 

 runners pendent from window-baskets in England, sevc'ral other 

 allied species would prove equally useful in the same way — 

 Saxifraga Fortunei variegata, and S. cuscutaeformis, for example. 

 The family of Ferns, although classed among plants with 

 delicate tissues, and having a great dislike to dry hot atmo- 

 spheres, nevertheless furnishes numerous examples which, with 

 careful management, 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 a 

 most pleasing erfect. Pteris argyrsea, P. cretica albo lineata, and 

 P. serrulata variegata likewise produce a good effect with their 

 prettily-marked fronds. Alsophila australis and Dicksonia an- 

 tarctica are also sometimes employed for decorative purposes in 

 rooms of large dimensions, where their magnificent appearance 

 never fails to produce a pleasing impression. Nephrolepis 



