2269. Rocks are generally considered as parts of the foundation of the earth, and their general character is that of grandeur, sometimes mixed with the singular, fantastic, or romantic. Their expression forms a fine contrast to that of perishable vegetation, and therefore they have been eagerly sought after in gardens, both on this account, and as forming a suitable habitation for certain descriptions of plants. Plant-rockworks are protuberant surfaces, or declivities irregularly covered with rocky fragments, land-stones, conglomerated gravel, vitrified bricks, vitrified scoriï¾µ, flints, shells, spar, or other earthy and hard mineral bodies. Such works are, in general, to be looked on more as scenes of culture, than of design or picturesque beauty.
