Distribution of Plants. 531 



in Kerguelen Island, which was visited by Captain Cook, the 

 number of species was found not to exceed sixteen or eighteen, 

 and these were all considered quite sui generis [of peculiar 

 kind]. On inland stations, we sometimes find plants confined 

 to a certain district, and not extending beyond its limits. 

 Such is the far-famed and ancient Cedar of Lebanon, the 

 glory of the forest, 



" Towering unknown beyond its native rocks." 

 The idea that plants are, or were ever, confined to one 

 locality, has been by none more strongly opposed than by our 

 immortal naturalist, John Ray. He says, in his essay upon 

 the number of plants, which is well worthy of perusal, arguing 

 against the possibility of any species being lost (Ray's Letters^ 

 p. 350.) : — " Though some species should be destroyed, yet 

 it is impossible, morally, that any man should be sure thereof. 

 First, I say that it is highly improbable ; because that I can 

 hardly persuade myself that there is any one local species of 

 plants in the world : I mean, so proper and peculiar to one 

 individual place as not to be found elsewhere. I am induced 

 so to think, because I have not observed in England any one 

 plant so proper to one place, but that I have found the same 

 either beyond sea, or, at least, in several places of this island : 

 and I doubt not but whatever grows naturally here may be 

 found in divers places, of the same latitude or temper, beyond 

 the seas. I am not ignorant that herbalists make sundry 

 proper and particular to some one place : as, for example, the 

 balsam to Judea, &c. ; but from these I must crave leave to 

 dissent, till they have more than any negative argument to 

 prove what they affirm. Yet, supposing there be such local 

 plants (unless you place them in islands that shall be wholly 

 overwhelmed and swallowed up by the sea), though they were 

 at present extirpated by the hand of man, or any accident, 

 yet the seed, or at least the seminal tinctures, remaining in 

 their original and native soil, w^hen the present obstruction is 

 removed the earth will be apt to put forth the same plant 

 again : so that, if balsam were at first a native of Judea, and 

 not imported from abroad ; and though it were not trans- 

 lated into Egypt, or elsewhere, I am persuaded the natural 

 earth would have again produced it, unless the temper of it 

 were much altered by some accidental or supernatural cause." 

 The arguments here used by Ray depend upon his own per- 

 sonal observation, and his disbelief in the existence of any 

 local plant ; but in the present extended state of our botanical 

 and geographical knowledge, we can no longer admit his 

 assertion to be true. However, as Ray justly observes, we 

 cannot be absolutely certain that any local plant does exist, until 



M M 2 



