EMBELLISHMENTS. 397 



abroad. The skeleton or frame- work of the arbor or house 

 is formed as we have just stated ; over this small rods half 

 an inch in diameter are nailed, about an inch from centre 

 to centre ; after the whole surface is covered with this sort 

 of rustic lathing, a quantity of the softer wood-moss of 

 different colors is collected ; and taking small parcels in 

 the hand at a time, the tops being evenly arranged, the 

 bottoms or roots are crowded closely between the rods with 

 a small wooden wedge. When this is done with some 

 little skill, the tufted ends spread out and cover the rods 

 entirely, showing a smooth surface of mosses of different 

 colors, which has an effect not unlike that of a thick 

 Brussels carpet. 



The mosses retain their color for a great length of time, 

 and when properly rammed in with the wedge, they cannot 

 be pulled out again without breaking their tops. The 

 prettiest example which we have seen of a. handsome 

 moss-house in this country, is at the residence of Wm. H. 

 Aspinwall, Esq., on Staten Island. 



A prospect tower is a most desirable and pleasant 

 structure in certain residences. Where the view is com- 

 paratively limited from the grounds, on account of their 

 surface being level, or nearly so, it often happens that the 

 spectator, by being raised some twenty-five or thirty feet 

 above the surface, finds himself in a totally different 

 position, whence a charming coup d'mil or bird's-eye view 

 of the surrounding country is obtained. . 



Those of our readers who may have visited the de- 

 lightful garden and grounds of M. Parmentier, near 

 Brooklyn, some naif a dozen years since, during the life- 

 time of that amiable and zealous amateur of horticulture, 

 will readily remember the rustic prospect-arbor, or tower 



