18 RECENT PLANT INTRODUCTIONS. [Nov. 



year. In 1824, he went to British Columbia and California, 

 returning in the autumn of 182 7, having collected numerous fine 

 plants and seeds. After being in London for two years, he sailed 

 again for Columbia in 1829, adding largely to his former dis- 

 coveries. Afterwards he went to the Sandwich Islands, in which 

 he remained some months, and his returir was expected liy the 

 very ship which brought the tidings of his terrible death. This 

 took place on July 12th, 1834, in the 36tli year of his age, 

 and was caused by his accidentally falling into a pit prepared 

 by the natives for catching wild bulls, one of these animals 

 being in the pit at the time. During the twelve years in wliicli 

 he was engaged collecting, the name of Douglas is associated 

 with all the rare and beautiful plants introduced at that time. 

 In all, 200 new plants were first sent home by him, nearly all 

 hardy in this country, among which were Pinus Lamliertiana, 

 Monticola and Insignis, Picea or as then called Abies Dougiasii and 

 ■ Menziesii, Picea nobilis, grandis, and amabihs, Spirtea aruneus, Eibes 

 sanguineum, speciosus, and many other species of Eibes, Garrya 

 elliptica, Berberis glumacea, Gaultheria Shallon, Mimulus moschatus 

 and cardinalis ; many fine species of Pentstemon and numerous 

 showy annuals, and other plants, some of which may be found 

 in almost every garden in the kingdom, from that of the prince 

 down to the peasant. 



Eobert Fortune was sent out to China in 1843, also by the 

 Horticultural Society of London. He entered that country at a time 

 when it was but little known to Europeans. It is hardly possible 

 to calculate the benefits this country has received from Fortune's 

 labours. They were quiet, plodding, and unpretentioirsly carried on, 

 often under great privation and possible danger to life. He remained 

 till 1846, Avhen he returned to England. In 1848, Fortune was 

 commissioned hy the East India Company to proceed to China again, 

 to collect tea seeds and plants for transmission to India. In 1851, 

 we read of his arrival in Calcutta, with nearly 2000 young tea 

 plants and 17,000 germinating seeds. With these he proceeded to 

 the North-West Provinces of India, and thus served to lay the 

 foundation of what is now a lucrative industry. He again visited 

 Cliina in 1852, in the service of the East India Company. In 

 1861, we find him in Japan, from which he returned in 1862, 

 bringing with him many fine plants. About this time the wander- 

 ings of this successful collector, author,' botanist, and traveller may 

 be said to have terminated. The remainder of his life was spent iu 

 farming in East Lothian, where he died so recently as the 13th 

 April 1880. 



