THE MAGAZINE 



OF 



NATURAL HISTORY. 



JANUARY, 1831. 



Art. I. Remarks on the Natural Productions bidigenons to 

 Britain. By T. E. L. 



Sir, 

 AVhen we cast our eyes around, and observe the comforts 

 and enjoyments, principally derived from the productions of 

 Nature, with which we are on every side surrounded, it will 

 naturally occur to us to consider whence these severally are 

 derived, and how they were brought into general use ; whe- 

 ther they are indigenous to the country, or imported into it 

 by the zeal of individuals. This becomes almost a matter of 

 necessity at the present time; for scarcely a day passes, scarcely 

 a single vessel arrives from foreign ports, which does not bring 

 with it something new or strange, either to supply the demands 

 of luxury, already too far extended, or to fulfil some useful 

 end in the varied concerns of commerce. 



How far any country is capable of relieving the wants of its 

 inhabitants is a question of difficult solution. In an uncivilised 

 state, where, of course, the population is much more thinly 

 scattered, the wants of man are comparatively few, and easily 

 satisfied ; and where commerce is unknown, and intercourse 

 with foreigners is unfrequent, the natives are compelled to 

 subsist on the indigenous productions of the country which 

 they inhabit. But as civilisation advances, the population 

 gradually increases, and intercourse with strangers becomes 

 more frequent ; a commercial spirit is by degrees awakened, 

 and the natives of the neighbouring countries mutually ex- 

 change the productions peculiar to each ; new wants arise, 

 and, consequently, new means must be taken to gratify them ; 

 luxurious refinements creep in, and no exertions are left 



Vol. IV. — No. 17. b 



