THE NATURAL CONDITIONS OF PLANTS. 59 
Here I possess far greater capabilities for the 
growth of plants than in the old locality where, 
for five winter months, not a ray of solar light 
entered ; and, during the summer months, the 
larger portion of sun-light was intercepted. Here 
there is nothing to obstruct the rays of the sun, 
from its rising to its setting ; and, consequently, 
I am enabled to grow and to flower a much larger 
portion of tropical plants than before. This 
house is heated during the winter months by hot 
water pipes, and care is taken that the thermo- 
meter does not fall below 44°, that being the 
minimum temperature which the banana will 
bear. The maximum temperature, without sun, 
is about 85°. The temperature even in the middle 
of December, on a bright sun-shiny day, rises to 
95° or 100°, and in summer to 180°, so that I am 
compelled, occasionally, to use blinds. In this 
house, having an unlimited command of sun, I 
have endeavoured to imitate, in miniature of course, 
a tropical forest.* The ground was prepared for 
the reception of the plants, by first covering the 
* Humboldt has remarked 64 How interesting and instructive to the 
landscape painter would be a work which should present to the eye, 
in combination and contrast, the leading forms of tropical vegetation. 
How interesting the aspect of tree-ferns spreading their delicate fronds 
above the laurel-oaks of Mexico, or groups of bananas overshadowed 
by arborescent grasses.*” With how much greater force do these re- 
marks apply to the cultivator of plants. 
