A FERN HOUSE 
8l 
be some live or six feet below the ground level. The frame- 
work of glass could then, without the substructure of walls, 
be placed — set on a low rim of stonework — upon the ground. 
Around the sides of the excavation, just beneath the glass 
framework, huge blocks of stone could be arranged. Upon 
these other blocks could he piled in great irregular masses, 
forming tiers, to which access might be obtained from the 
bottom of the house. A hollow cemented basin should be 
prepared in the lowest tier of the house, in imitation of a 
silent pool at the base of rocks. Into this fish of various 
kinds could be placed, whilst its margin would afford ad- 
mirable positions for a fringe of Ferns and aquatic plants. 
The entrance from the door would first lead down to the 
basement of the house by a series of rude steps cut in the 
rocks. By careful arrangement, a great variety of stations 
for Ferns of various kinds could be formed, and the whole 
place might be made to wear a charmingly-romantic 
appearance, like the section of a wild ferny glen. It would 
constitute, in fact, a delightful winter Fern garden under 
glass. 
