ROCKS AND ROCK-PLANTS. 
131 
!cessary adjunct. In the great conservatory at Chatsworth, a large mass of rock- 
ork has been formed to conceal the staircase which leads up through the middle 
’ it to the gallery ; at one end it extends, gradually running out along the margin 
i a small lake. This immense pile affords admirable sites for various kinds of 
iants, both shrubs and rambling species. The northern side is almost exclusively 
voted to the fern-tribe and Lycopodiums, which have a peculiarly happy and 
easing effect, jutting out their diversified and many-cleft fronds from the chinks 
d recesses that abound throughout : and of these none are more remarkably 
gaging than the elegant airy-looking species of Adiantum. In some parts, 
here, from the nature of the work designed, larger rocks have necessarily been 
iployed, the surface of which supplied no situation capable of admitting the roots 
other plants, the Ficus repens planted at the base has completely overspread and 
Dthed the surface with its copious smooth green leaves; the stems clinging 
the rock by numerous roots with still firmer tenacity than our own wild ivy ; 
hilst from the greater tenuity of its shoots, and the comparative smallness of other 
irts, it is more manageable and neat. It produces no conspicuous flower, but 
is property of attaching itself to stone, together with its rapid extension and 
lindsome evergreen character, constitute it one of the most appropriate subjects 
at can be selected for mingling amongst other and more gaudy plants ; and 
ipecially for garnishing those rocks which dip to the borders of the water and are 
lartiaily submersed, as it delights in a damp station. 
( Many cactaceous plants, especially such as the Epiphyllums and Cereus 
igelliformis^ seem to require a place of this kind to exhibit themselves to the 
ist advantage. Hanging over a projecting piece of rock is just the situation to 
'splay the beauty of E. splendidum and speciosum. To these may be added the 
Uphanotis^ various Convolvulacem, Combretums and Passifloras ; besides small- 
' 'owing things, such as the species of Achimenes, Gesneria^ and Gloxinia ; and 
mongst them a few low, bushy, erect-growing shrubs, should be planted on the 
’oader flats for relief. In the greenhouse and cool conservatory, Mesembryan- 
lemums and Thunbergias, several Tropoeoluras, especially T. tricolorum and 
\oW%anum^ Clianthus puniceus^ and Manettia^ will rank among the chief adorn- 
tents : and masses of Lycopodium denticidatum^ and Oxalis Jlorihunda^ may be 
'ere and there introduced. 
f Much of the effect of rock work of this kind hinges on a judicious selection and 
t’ouping of the plants : this is a work requiring deliberation and study to 
icomplish rightly on a large scale, and must necessarily be left almost entirely 
> the judgment and good taste of the operator. It must, however, be carried in 
ind, that here, as well as in the pleasure-ground, the plants being intended to 
•nstitute the chief object, they should be planted somewhat closely, so that 
ijgetation 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 
-’st formed ; it will be easy afterwards to adapt any site specially for the growth 
