THE NATURAL CONDITIONS OF PLANTS. 57 
plants which do not require much sun, likewise 
grew in this part of the house. In the upper 
regions were numerous species of Aloe, Cactus, 
Bilbergia, Begonia, & c. Two or three varieties 
of rose likewise flowered here, but neither so well 
nor so freely as in the cases already described. 
In hot summers the sensitive plant {Mimosa 
pudica) flowered freely, as did one or two species 
of Passion-flower. In the intermediate spaces were 
Disandra prostrata, Fuchsias, and various other 
plants. From the roof were suspended numerous 
succulents, and Orchideous epiphytes, but the tem- 
perature fell too low in the winter, and rarely rose 
sufficiently high for these ‘ splendid things without 
a foundation,’* so that they seldom flowered. 
In addition to this great variety of living forms, 
there was a large and fine collection of antedi- 
luvian plants, species of Lepidodendron, Cata- 
mites, &c., which, when compared with their 
recent types, the Lycopodia, Equiseta, &c., are 
truly 
u Of aspect that appears 
Beyond the range of vegetative power.” 
Aquarium for fish and plants . — -I commenced my 
experiments on fish and plants about ten years 
ago, in a large earthen vessel, given to me for the 
purpose by my friend Mr. Alfred White. This 
* The meaning of the name given to them by the South Sea 
Islanders. — Williams. 
