ROCKS AND ROCK-PLANTS. 
87 
It is to the consideration of the principles and conditions which ought to 
overn the formation of the latter class, together with a few remarks on some of 
lose plants which are naturally more pleasing when placed upon them, that we 
lUrpose most especially to devote the present paper. With this view, then, let 
js first inquire what are the chief points in which the two descriptions of rock- 
/ork differ from each other. 
, The professed aim of rockeries of the former kind being to copy the most 
icturesque assemblages of natural rocks, or by a tasteful and discriminate 
3lection of the most interesting, to compile a structure that shall be both striking 
nd free from those portions which, even in a natural scene, frequently destroy 
jnity of character, it is necessary that it should be both at some distance from the 
lansion, and also that the fragments employed be large and massive. For, where 
great thing is attempted — and a great thing it is to copy well the wild forms of 
ataral rock— -unless the means and material employed be perfectly adequate to, 
nd in harmony with, the object attempted, the result must be puerile, and an 
iffectual display of the impotence of the contriver. All the vegetation, moreover, 
vhich accompanies an extensive rockery should be subordinate to it ; and instead 
I f constituting a prominent and leading feature, should be merely sufficient, and so 
isposed as to give relief and diversity to it. 
In the other description of rockwork, the construction must be ruled by very 
ifferent, and in some respects opposite considerations. Here it is the plants, and 
|ot the rocks, which are mainly expected to contribute ornament ; consequently, so 
uar from the smaller fragments of rock being objectionable, they are here rather to 
ie sought after as furnishing a more extended number of crevices and suitable 
daces for inserting plants. It is, moreover, necessary that the plants be more 
opiously distributed, to preclude the possibility of the real object ever being mis- 
aken. And, with regard to the situation, it is not by any means necessary that 
hese should be confined to the wilder and more remote scenery of the grounds ; 
,'Ut on the contrary, they may be admitted to the more highly finished portions 
yith propriety and advantage. 
But whilst the ruggedness and massive character of the more legitimate rockery 
aust not be affected when the chief aim is to provide a proper site for the display 
f particular plants, it is equally inadmissible to fall into the opposite extreme, by 
dopting an even unvarying uniformity of surface and arrangement. In carrying 
ut this observation, it is needful to indulge in considerable latitude to preserve 
larmony with the leading characteristics of surrounding objects ; and if so be that 
ircumstances demand, let it lead from perfect ruggedness till it sinks into the 
lolished border, forming an insensible bond of union between them. 
The vicinity of the flower-garden or plant-houses beside an arbour, or any 
nuch frequented spot, especially where there is a bank backed with a shrubbery, 
;enerally present an abundance of situations possessing an eminent suitability for a 
|Vork of this kind. The margin of a basin of water may often be much improved 
