THE PLANT DECORATION OF APAUTMKNTS. 269 



plants combine them. They are useful for the centres of 

 noble groups of plants in their larger forms, while the smaller 

 species may be advantageously associated with the Maiden- 

 hair Fern and the Cinerarias of the conservatory bench. 

 They are of the greatest utility in these decorations, and 

 are largely used in all parts. So are most kinds of fine- 

 leaved plants, from Phormium to Ficus. Young Palms are 

 also cultivated to an enormous extent about Paris ; and so is 

 every green and gracefully-leaved plant, from the Cycads to 

 the common trailing 

 Ivy, — used a good 

 deal to make living 

 screens of. With 

 such plants they have 

 but little trouble to 

 find materials for this 

 kind of embellish- 

 ment. 



The wide staircase 

 ascending from the 

 entrance hall had also 

 a charming array of 

 plants so placed that 

 the visitors seemed to 

 pass through a sort of 

 floral grove — fine- 

 leaved plants arching 

 over, but not rising- 

 very high, and having 

 a profusion of flowering things among and beneath them. 

 As the bank of Primulas and the groups of tall plants were 

 placed opposite this staircase, and reflected in the great mirror 

 behind, the effect when descending the staircase was fasci- 

 nating indeed. A still finer effect was produced in a room 

 near the great dancing saloon, and through whicli the 

 guests passed to the magnificent ball-room. Against each 

 pillar in this saloon was placed a tall palm with high and 

 arching leaves like those of Seaforthia elegans, and others 

 with longer leaves and pendulous leaflets. These meeting, 



Fig. 107. 



Caladium argyrites. 



