Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-04-14
FL0RA'S RECEPTION.
A Beautiful Spring Day In the Al
legheny Conservatives
THE PARKS SOON TO BE PRETTIER.
Preparations For Their Adornment Are
Already Under Way.
THE SOCIAL CHATTER OF YESTERDAY

The Phipps conservatories held recep-
tion yesterday afternoon. 1t was an entirely
impromptu affair. This statement is made
that the many friends of the family VINO
were not present will understand the mat
ter, and not imagine that the visiting list OF
the conservatories has been cut down. The
6elightiulness of the Gay was directly re-
sponsible for the affair and for the unusually
large number of guests, including ladies,
babies and dogs, and few accidentals in
masculine attire. Fortunately for the con =
servatories, they were in regular Sunday
go-to-meeting garb, and were in no wise dis
concerted by the influx of visitors.
The receiving party consisted of many
floral favorites. The Azaleas were especially
radiant, anu challenged criticism in any
form. Their coloring. beyond description, was
exeelled only by their daintiness of outline
and delicacy of perfume. They certainly
presented dazzling vision, and were the
recipients of marked attention and admira-
ton that excited no little Jealousy in the
minds of the orchids.
Orchids Not The First of AL
Seldom it is that anything floral takes
precedence of the orchids, but in this in
stance such was the case, and warmed-over
adjectives were the only ones bestowed upon
the orchids, beautiful as they were, until the
Nepenthes was reached. 1t permitted
the use of a different class of ad-
jectives, for it is such lovely
little cannibal. Pitcher-like in shape,
delicatelv tinted and wax-like, it is never
theless a "will-you-walk-into-m parlor"
sort of blossom, for it is possessed of
double row OF teeth, which mean death to
any insect that enters the pitcher, unless it
can fy The Nepenthean liquor with which
these blossoms are filled is also cannibalistic
in its tendencies, and in lieu of
insects or flies, will thoroughly digest
beefsteak in small pieces as served by
Superintendent Hamilton, the strength OF
which is diffused throughout the entire body
OF the plant. Among the orchids who re-
ceived yesterday were many whose delicate
and fragile beauty was not sufficiently
strong to support the lengthy names of
their family, and little pieces of board were
called into requisition for that purpose.
The lilies and the hyacinths did not claim
any particular attention, they having retired
to old age and spectacles.
An amazon OF the Aquarium
The Victoria Regia, an Amazon guest in
the aquarium, was the youngest of the recep-
tion committee, it being in fact almost an
infant Its little round face, about the size
Of breakfast plate, however, did much to
entertain as it Law smiling on the face of the
water. Later in the season at some of the
subsequent receptions the Regia will make
a more commanding appearance and will be
able inside OF four months to hold some OF
the baby guests, not exceeding 60 pounds,
upon its then attained eight-foot face.
The gold fish were delightful acquisitions
to the receiving party and charmingly en-
tertained, as only goldfish can. They have
not in four months had the water of their
aquarium changed, vet they were enjoying
the best of health and their toilets were i'm
macuate. Superintendent Hamilton says
that even for the series of impromptu recep-
lions to be given by the conservatories
this season, the gold fish will
not be permitted a change of aqua,
as FISH extract oxygen from the water and
exhale carbonic acid gas; while plants, when
growing, give off oxygen and inhale car
bonic acid gas, hence the water is purified.
Extensive preparations are being made by
Superintendent Hamilton and his assistants
for the coming entertainments and April
20 will find the parks undergoing their an
nual beautifying. Nothing new or novel
thus far is contemplated in the arrange
ment, and it is not even known whether
George Washington or Lincoln will smile
welcome with a hen and chicken attach
rent