BALSA]\r. 103 



in Miller, or by Aiton in the Hortus Kewcnsis, 

 who mention its cultivation by Gerard in 159(). 

 Dr. Turner tells us, in 15G4, that it " groweth 

 much m Italy, and some places of England ia 

 gardines." This old author has fortunately pic- 

 tured the plant in his work, and he observes, that 

 " it is called in barbarous Latin Balsamuui." 

 Gerard distinguishes it as the Female Balsam 

 Apple ; but he appears to have been ignorant of 

 its native country, though he observes, " These 

 plants do prosper best in hot regions : they are 

 strangers in England, and do with great labour 

 and industrie growe in these colde countries." 

 To which he adds, " they must be sowen in the 

 beginning of Aprill in a bed of hot horse- dung, 

 €ven as muske-melons, cucumbers, and such like 

 colde fruites are." 



As late at 1656, when the corrected edition of 

 Parkinson's '' Garden of pleasant Flowers'* was 

 published, it is stated, that " we have alwayes 

 had the seed of this plant sent us out of Italie, 

 not knowing his original place." He adds, " the 

 seed doth seldome ripen with us, especially if 

 the summer be backward, so that we are often- 

 times to seek for new and good seede from our 

 friends again." 



It has been observed by some of our best 



Vol. U. O 



