CONSERVATORIES. 375 



nary cases, where it is constantly fall- same. The whole structure is metallic — 

 ing off, and admitting the wet into the the ribs, gutters, and larger members 

 astragals, and consequently hastening being of cast-iron, while the astragals and 

 their decay, From the nature of the smaller members are of malleable iron, 

 roof, it follows that it is a fixture ; but fabricated in that superior style of work- 

 ventilation is effected by various open- manship for which the Hammersmith 

 ings, mostly acted upon by machinery, works have been long and justly cele- 

 This is the only part of this extraor- brated. The base or parapet is also of 

 dinary structure that we think defective, iron, divided into panels, resting on a 

 as an immense quantity of heated air must polished ashlar plinth. The panelling 

 accumulate towards the top, for the escape between the piers is all made to open and 

 of which we think effective means are not shut by mechanical arrangement, admit- 

 sufficiently provided. ting, when opened, a most abundant 

 This immense house is heated by hot supply of fresh air, close to the floor, 

 water in a very complete manner — which around the whole structure. The heated 

 is sufficient proof of the efficiency of and impure air is made to escape by the 

 water, and the absurdity of employing perpendicular sashes, which connect the 

 steam. The pipes surround the house main body of the house with the top 

 just within the side walls, and run paral- part, in the central division, which sashes 

 lei to each other, in two chambers under are pivot-hung at their centres, and moved 

 the floor level. The whole of the fur- simultaneously by the action of a spiral 

 nace department is in a vault under the screw and rod, which is brought down in 

 house, and completely hid from sight ; connection with one of the columns, on 

 the entrance to which, and for supplying each side, that support the upper part of 

 the furnace with fuel, is by a tunnel the roof. The ridge in the two wings 

 ingeniously contrived. This stupendous opens throughout its whole length for 

 structure reflects great credit on Sir ventilating purposes also. Those parts of 

 Joseph Paxton, who designed and super- the sides shown with darker lines are 

 intended the erection of it ; and also on opened during the heat of summer, so 

 his Grace the Duke of Devonshire, for that the temperature of this capacious 

 his liberality in affording the means. structure may be lowered nearly to that 

 Plate XIX. shows the elevation and of the open air. The elegant bracket- 

 ' ground- plan of a conservatory designed like projections in front of the exterior 

 by Richard Turner, Esq., of Dublin, one columns add greatly to the strength, as 

 of the first hothouse architects of the well as to the appearance, of the whole, 

 day. Fig. 510 is a cross section of the The entrances are by well-proportioned 



doors placed at 

 both ends, and 

 also at the two 

 opposite sides of 

 the centre divi- 

 sion. The in- 

 terior arrange- 

 ment will be seen 

 by the ground- 

 plan, the centre 

 part being divid- 

 ed into four beds, 

 while the two 

 wings contain a 

 longitudinal bed 

 each. The floor 

 around and be- 

 tween these beds 

 is laid with po- 

 lished pavement ; 

 and a very elegant 



