beneath us has been already described, but
how shall we give an impression of the appearance of the buildings
collected in groups on each side of the main avenue? So great is
the variety of objects to be presented that any very large unbroken
surface of sward is impossible. The general plan is geometrical, and
the absence of large trees on the newly-made ground has prevented any
attempt at woodland scenery.

The French make great use of common flowers in obtaining effects of
color. Some square beds of large size have centres of purple and white
stocks, giving a mottled appearance, with a border of the tender blue
forget-me-nots and a fringe of double daisies. Other beds are full
of purple, red and white anemones, multicolored poppies or yellow
marigolds. The sober mignonette is too great a favorite to be
excluded, though it lends little to the effect. The gorgeous
rhododendron is here massed in large beds, and there forms a standard
tree with a formal clump of foliage and gay flowers, contrasting with
the bright green of the succulent grass. The roses are by thousands
in beds and lining the walks, and here are especially to be seen the
standard roses for which Europe is so famous, but which do not seem to
prosper with us.

Besides the flowers and flowering shrubs, a most profuse use is made
of evergreens, which are removed of surprising size and forwardness of
spring growth. We can form little conception from our gardens at home
of the wealth, variety and exuberance of the evergreen foliage in
Southern England and Northern France--the Spanish and Portuguese
laurel, laurustinus, arbutus, occuba, bay, hollies in variety,
tree-box, with scores of species of pines, firs, arborvitae and yews,
relieved by the contorted foliage of the auraucarias, the sombre cedar
of Lebanon and the graceful deodar cedar of the Himalayas. As already
remarked, the tree-growth is small, as the ground was a blank and
rocky hillside two years ago, and was quarried to make a site for the
garden. The tree which seems best to bear moving, and is consequently
used in the emergency, is the horse-chestnut, the red and white
flowering varieties being intermingled. This is perhaps the most
common tree in the streets of Paris, though the plane and maple are
also favorites.

[Illustration: BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF THE MAIN BUILDING AND ITS
SURROUNDINGS.]

Against the rocky scarp on the south of the garden a plantation of
aloes, yuccas and cactus has been ma