EMBELLISHMENTS. 
419 
When either of these plant habitations is to be attached to 
the house, the preference is greatly in favour of the conser- 
vatory. The plants being allowed more room, have richer 
and more luxuriant foliage, and grow and flower in a man- 
ner altogether superior to those in pots. The allusion to 
nature is also more complete in the case of plants growing 
in the ground ; and from the objects all being on the 
same level, and easily accessible, they are with more facility 
kept in that perfect nicety and order which an elegant plant- 
house should always exhibit. 
On the other hand, the green-house will contain by far 
the largest number of plants, and the same may be more 
easily changed or renewed at any time ; so that for a particu- 
lar taste, as that of a botanical amateur, who wishes to grow 
a great number of species in a small space, the green-house 
will be found preferable. Whenever either the conservatory 
or green-house is of moderate size, and intended solely for 
private recreation, we would in every case, when such a 
thing is not impossible, have it attached to the house ; com- 
municating by a glass door with the drawing-room, or one 
of the living rooms. Nothing can be more gratifying than a 
vista in winter through a glass door down the walk of a con- 
servatory, bordered and overhung with the fine forms of tro- 
pical vegetation, — golden oranges glowing through the dark 
green foliage, and gay corrollas lighting up the branches of 
Camellias, and other floral favourites. Let us add the ex- 
ulting song of a few Canaries, and the enchantment is com- 
plete. How much more refined and elevated is the taste 
which prefers such accessories to a dwelling, rather than 
costly furniture, or an extravagant display of plate ! 
The best and most economical form for a conservatory is 
a parallelogram^— the deviation from a square being greater 
