Cerastium tomentósum, Mouse-eared Chickweed, has a small white woolly beautiful leaf, and for this genus a large white flower.

I have given a list of enough for a beginner, and shall be happy to continue it if these structures at all increase. There are many other plants, not referred to in this article, which will be found in the body of this work, under the heads of their respective genera, that are recommended for rock-work.

PLANTS SUITABLE FOR THE AQUARIUM OR ORNAMENTAL POND.

When a garden is so situated that it can be supplied with living or running water, a collection of aquatic plants in an aquarium, in connection with a fish pond, will be an object of additional interest to the pleasure ground. But on no account would I advise an appendage of this sort to a garden, unless it be fed by a stream of water or spring. A dug-out, even if water can be ob、 tained the year round, without an outlet or inlet, is a great nuisance, and only fit for raising frogs, musquitoes, and for the growth of green confervæ upon its stagnant surface. With a stream or never failing spring of water, an aquarium can be made without much expense, if not on too large a scale. It should be at least three feet deep, and lined with a substantial stone wall; it should have a margin of grass, or be edged with rough or dressed granite or free-stone, surrounded with a nice gravel walk. The portion of aquarium designed for most plants, should be three feet deep, in addition to a good depth of rich soil, while the bottom of the other section should be laid

over with small pebbles, that the fish may be more distinctly seen; a few large shells will add to the interest of the pond. The most interesting aquatic plant of our country is the well known and universal favorite, the Nymphæa odorata, the Water Lily. Its botanical name signifies "the Nymph or Naiad of the Streams." Few plants possess more exquisite fragrance than the common Water Lily. When floating upon the surface of the water, its open petals spread out to receive the genial rays of the sun; it is an object of great interest, and may be truly considered the embodiment of purity and loveliness. It is generally found in deep water, where its roots are secured from the frosts in the winter by a sort of natural hot-bed being thus provided for it. In my experience, two feet of water is amply sufficient to protect it. The roots creep through the muddy bottom of ponds to a great extent. They are very rough, knotted, blackish, and as large as a man's arm, and difficult to extract from the bottom of deep water, but when taken up there is no more trouble. Tie stones to the roots, and throw them in to the part of the pond prepared for them, and they will soon establish themselves. There appears to be two common varieties, one with stout green stems, green calyx and white within, and the petals without any tint of pink or purple; the other has brown stems, more slender; flowers with brownish green calyx and pinkish white within, the outer petals tinged with red on the under side. While I resided in Lancaster, Mass., I found a beautiful variety, in a corner of a pond in that town, with pink petals, which I transferred to a small pond in my garden, where it flourished until I left the place. The pond was afterward drained, and I suppose the root was destroyed. Mr. Wm. E. Carter, formerly of the Botanic Garden, Cambridge, procured from the same pond a root which flourished many years in the aquarium there, but in clear

ing it out by one of his successors, I understand this rare variety was destroyed. I fear that no more of it can be obtained, as there was but one spot in the pond where it was found, and I thought at the time that Mr. Carter and myself took possession of all the roots.

N. odorata minor, is a rare variety with very small flowers and leaves, which I have found in some ponds, but cannot remember where. These varieties of the white lily will be sufficient for a small aquarium-but if it be of larger dimensions, there are a number of other species. of native aquatic plants, which may be introduced.

Núphar advéna, or Yellow Water-Lily, has roots similar to N. odorata; it has a very curious flower, but the odor of it is the opposite of that flower, for the smell is anything but agreeable.

Pontedéria cordáta, or Pickerel-weed, is found in shallow water; its tall spikes of blue flowers are quite ornamental. For this plant the soil should be raised to within one foot, or foot and a half, of the surface of the

water.

Sagittária sagittifólia, is a handsome plant found about the margin of ponds and brooks in shallow water. Its white flowers arranged in whorls of three, are produced in July and August; the depth of water over these roots need not be more than 3 or 4 inches. A portion of the soil on the margin may be raised a few inches above the water level, which will be a suitable place for the beautiful Lobelia cardinalis, of our meadows, for the curious Sarracenia or side-saddle flower, and for many other bog or swamp plants.

ON THE CULTIVATION OF PLANTS IN THE PARLOR.

"Descending snow, the golden leaf and sear,
Are indications of old Time's career;

The careful florist tends his sheltered plants,
Studies their natures, and supplies their wants."

A FEW plants in the house are desirable, or even indispensable to the female portion of the family, or to invalids who have a taste for flowers.

A choice collection of plants, in the sitting-room or parlor, will add much to the charms of home; but as we often see them, weak, straggling, drawn up, crowded together, and infested with insects, they give pain rather than pleasure.

The clear sunlight through the window, is far preferable to a congregation of coarse earthen pots and saucers, with their sickly occupants. Judging from what we too often see, cultivators in parlors have very erroneous ideas of what is necessary for a perfect development of their plants. In fact, the plants are often killed with too much kindness; too much heat, too much water, want of light and air, or want of water, are the general causes of the sickly state of plants, to which may be added, unsuitable compost or mould. Saucers under the pots, if water is suffered to stand in them, are injurious, though necessary for the sake of neatness; never, therefore, suffer the water to stand in them, nor to be poured into them. The water should always be given on the surface, but never unless the surface is dry, and then for most plants, only in moderate quantities. Rain water only should be used, and that of a mild temperature, but not warm. When

water is necessary, it should be applied in the morning of a mild sunny day.

Manure water may be resorted to, to stimulate the plants occasionally; but an over-dose may be injurious, if not destructive.

It is useless to expend time upon plants in rooms where the windows face to the north. South, south-east, or south-west exposures are the best; of course a south window is the very best, as it admits the sun all day.

Light is more important than great heat; indeed, plants are frequently ruined, by keeping the room excessively hot. The hot, dry air of most sitting-rooms of the present day is so injurious to the Camellia, (as well as to some other plants) that it can hardly be made to flower, as the buds will fall off long before the time of flowering. But I have seen as fine blooms of the Camellia in an old-fashioned sitting-room in the country, as I have in the greenhouse. The room was so cold at night that the thermometer would fall nearly to freezing, with a plenty of air from the old window casements during the day. A good temperature for the Camellia is a range of 40° by night, to 60° during the day. I do not mean to be understood that this should be the highest range in the sun; but at the back side of the room, in the shade. This temperature will also do for most plants; some will thrive better with a higher range, but their cultivation should not be attempted in a sitting-room.

Where there is too much heat, without a proper exposure to light, the plants will spindle up, and make feeble, sickly growth, and if they produce flowers, they will be so weak and pale as to excite the pity of the beholder.

Unless the pots are turned every day, the plants will grow one-sided; every plant should receive as much light as possible.

A stand for flowers should have rollers attached to the