ROCKS AND ROCK-PLANTS. 
131 
necessary adjunct. In the great conservatory at Chatswortli, a large mass of rock- 
work has been formed to conceal the staircase which leads up through the middle 
of it to the gallery ; at one end it extends, gradually running out along the margin 
of a small lake. This immense pile affords admirable sites for various kinds of 
plants, both shrubs and rambling species. The northern side is almost exclusively 
devoted to the fern-tribe and Lycopodiums, which have a peculiarly happy and 
pleasing effect, jutting out their diversified and many-cleft fronds from the chinks 
and recesses that abound throughout : and of these none are more remarkably 
engaging than the elegant airy-looking species of Adiantum. In some parts, 
where, from the nature of the work designed, larger rocks have necessarily been 
employed, the surface of which supplied no situation capable of admitting the roots 
of other plants, the Ficus repens planted at the base has completely overspread and 
clothed the surface with its copious smooth green leaves ; the stems clinging 
to the rock by numerous roots with still firmer tenacity than our own wild ivy ; 
whilst from the greater tenuity of its shoots, and the comparative smallness of other 
parts, it is more manageable and neat. It produces no conspicuous flower, but 
this property of attaching itself to stone, together with its rapid extension and 
handsome evergreen character, constitute it one of the most appropriate subjects 
that can be selected for mingling amongst other and more gaudy plants ; and 
especially for garnishing those rocks which dip to the borders of the water and are 
partially submersed, as it delights in a damp station. 
Many cactaceous plants, especially such as the Epiphyllums and Cereus 
flagelliformis, seem to require a place of this kind to exhibit themselves to the 
best advantage. Hanging over a projecting piece of rock is just the situation to 
display the beauty of E. splendidum and speciosum. To these may be added the 
Stephanotis, various Convolvulaceas, Combretums and Passifloras ; besides small- 
growing things, such as the species of Achimenes, Gesneria, and Gloxinia ; and 
amongst them a few low, bushy, erect-growing shrubs, should be planted on the 
broader flats for relief. In the greenhouse and cool conservatory, Mesembryan- 
themums and Thunbergias, several Tropoeolums, especially T. tricolorum and 
Lohhianum, Clianthus puniceus, and Manettia^ will rank among the chief adorn- 
ments : and masses of Lycopodium denticulatum, and Oxalis jloribunda, may be 
here and there introduced. 
Much of the effect of rock work of this kind hinges on a judicious selection and 
grouping of the plants: this is a work requiring deliberation and study to 
accomplish rightly on a large scale, and must necessarily be left almost entirely 
to the judgment and good taste of the operator. It must, however, be carried in 
mind, that here, as well as in the pleasure-ground, the plants being intended to 
constitute the chief object, they should be planted somewhat closely, so that 
vegetation of some kind may cover the most part of the surface. 
In the construction of a large extent of rockery, the general outline should be 
first formed ; it will be easy afterwards to adapt any site specially for the growth 
