NICOTIANA TABACUM. 
Tobacco. 
PLATE XL. 
Av the time of the discovery of America the 
Tobacco plant was cultivated by the natives in 
the West India islands and in different parts of 
the continent, especially those bordering on the 
Gulf of Mexico. Whatever may have been its 
native climate, we need not trace it farther back 
than this period; and can incur but little risk 
in considering it as indigenous to the southern 
parts of the United States in their present enlarg- 
ed extent. [Note B.] It is an annual plant capable 
of perfecting its flowers and fruit in almost any 
part of the Union, yet seldom found growing 
spontaneously except in cultivated grounds or 
their vicinity. . 
