Plants in Towns. 67 



proximate or remote, what it may ; as one, at least, of these 

 concerns the purpose of this brief note. On this, however, 

 I must content myself with a very few slight remarks, as I 

 dare not prolong this postscript. 



In London, as in Edinburgh and Glasgow, or other rapidly 

 increasing towns, it is easy to follow the gradually widening 

 circle of this noxious atmosphere, and in certain parts of 

 those also its increase of noxious power. The receding of 

 nurseries from the precincts of these towns is the evidence of 

 the former ; and, of the latter, he who will search, will find 

 proofs enough, in the gradual extinction of plants which had 

 gone on resisting through years. I know not, in London, a 

 more distinct example of the last than in the garden of Mr. 

 Bentham in Westminster, which, once bearing many fruits and 

 flowers, even in abundance and perfection, is now gradually 

 yielding to the increasing influence, and will probably soon be 

 reduced to that limited number of plants which seem endowed 

 with the power of resisting these effects. And it has not been 

 uninteresting to trace the progress ; the disappearance or non- 

 production of the stone fruits there cultivated, having been 

 among the first effects, and that (if, as I believe, I am correct) 

 having been followed by their flowers ; the currant and goose- 

 berry afterwards suffering in the same order, and some or 

 other of the flowering plants and shrubs, together with some 

 trees, annually and successively becoming more enfeebled, or 

 ceasing to live. 



But, to omit a long detail, the downward progress of this 

 garden will aid in illustrating the appended imperfect cata- 

 logue ; though I must remark, that it does not afford a rule 

 for all London, as the vicinity of the Park secures it probably 

 from many consequences as to the tenderer town plants ; just 

 as Grosvenor and Lincoln's Inn squares are favourable to 

 many species that would not exist in St. Paul's churchyard. 



It would have been useful could we have discovered any ge- 

 neral principle on which to determine beforehand what plants 

 would succeed in these situations. And, perhaps, one might 

 be found, should the investigation be pursued to a far greater 

 increase of this meagre catalogue. At present it presents none, 

 whether as relates to natural affinities, orders, or even genera, 



F 2 



