THE ENRICHMENT OF ENGLISH GARDENS 117 



Rosa indica and Hydrangea hortensis from China, 

 South African gladioli, which now begin to be numerous, 

 and chrysanthemums from China and Japan. The first 

 calceolarias were brought from great heights on the 

 Andes, the first begonias from Jamaica, and the first 

 fuchsia from Chili. 



We can make only one remark about the multi- 

 tudinous accessions of the nineteenth century. It is 

 surprising to note how recently many established 

 favourites have been brought to the knowledge of 

 English gardeners. Anemone japonica (Japan) and 

 Jasminum nudiflorum (China) date from 1844, while 

 the Freesias (Cape Colony) are as recent as 1875. 

 The dahlia, after two unsuccessful attempts, was estab- 

 lished here as recently as 1815 ; Nemophila insignis 

 came over from North America in 1822 ; the common 

 musk and the monkey-plant a few years later ; the 

 chionodoxas (Crete and Asia Minor) in 1877. The first 

 of the foliage-begonias (Begonia rex from Assam) dates 

 only from 1858, and the first of the tuberous species 

 from 1865. 



Importation of foreign species has not been the only 

 method by which English gardens have been enriched. 

 New varieties and hybrids have been produced in 

 bewildering numbers by the gardeners of Europe, and 

 many of these far surpass in beauty the wild originals. 

 Botanists and nurserymen could relate in great detail 

 the steps by which our favourite roses, calceolarias, 

 begonias, and cinerarias have been developed from a 

 few natural stocks, sometimes of uninviting appearance. 



Horticulture has repaid the debt which it owed to 

 the explorations of botanists by furnishing countless 

 observations and experiments bearing upon inheritance. 

 When these have been properly co-ordinated, they will 



