Chap. X. 



HOWQUA'S GAWJEN. 



217 



narrow door, we observed tlie following notice — 

 " Saunterers liere will be excused entering." This 

 apparently leads to the private apartments of the 

 family. In this side of the garden there is some 

 fine artificial rockwork, which the Chinese know 

 well how to construct, and various summer-houses 

 tastefully decorated, one of which is called the 

 " Library of Verdant Purity." Between this part 

 of the garden and the straight walk already noticed 

 there is a small pond or lake for fish and water- 

 lilies. This is crossed by a zigzag wooden bridge 

 of many arches, which looked rather dilapidated. A 

 very necessary notice was put up here informing 

 " saunterers to stop their steps in case of accident." 



On the outskirts of the garden we observed 

 the potting sheds, a nursery for rearing young 

 plants and seeds, and the kitchen garden. Here 

 a natural curiosity was pointed out by one of the 

 Chinese, which, at first sight, appeared singularly 

 curious. Three trees were growing in a row, and 

 at about twenty or thirty feet from the ground 

 the two outer ones had sent out shoots, and fairly 

 united themselves with the centre one. When 

 I mention that the outer trees are the Chinese 

 banyan (Ficus nitida), it will readily be seen how 

 the appearance they presented was produced. The 

 long roots sent down by this species had lovingly 

 embraced the centre tree, and appeared at first 

 sight to have really grafted themselves upon it. 



I am afraid I have given a very imperfect de- 

 scription of this curious garden. Those who know 



