12 Geographical Distribution of the Crucifera. 



With regard to Cruciferse in particular, it appears to me 

 that there exists in the species of this order an aptitude to recon- 

 cile themselves to the various peculiarities and changes of climate 

 incident to countries under different meridians. In North Ame- 

 rica many European Crucifeise have become naturalized. They 

 frequently usurp a prevalence in our gardens and in cultivated 

 grounds, so as to become weeds, reminding the old countryman 

 at every step of scenes of his youthful home. Nasturtium 

 officinale, Barburea vulgaris, Thlaspe arvense, Lepidium cam- 

 pestre, and most frequent of all, the Capsella bursa-pastoris, 

 are naturalized Americans and Canadians ; and is not this in 

 perfect accordance with the diffusive character of the order, as 

 noted by botanists in those species which exist in the highest 

 northern latitudes ? 



In those dismal regions where ice holds almost eternal empire, 

 and where frost is arrested but for a few short weeks of the year, 

 we still may please ourselves with discovering that wise provision 

 is made, as far as possible under the circumstances, for the wants 

 of man. The intense cold of winter and spring requires that the 

 bodily functions of the Esquimaux should be fortified by a diet of 

 pure animal food, and that too of the fattest and most oily descrip- 

 tion. The composition of the blood is thus preserved in a state 

 fit for supporting the human frame, while the lungs are breathing 

 freely an intensely cold condensed atmosphere. When the sum- 

 mer arrives, and the length of sunshine heats the air, the natives 

 must have their systems surcharged. Nature then may be sup- 

 posed as stepping in, and supplying from her stores the most 

 cooling, aperient, and anti-scorbutic vegetables for their relief. The 

 Esquimaux at this season, by having recourse to the productions 

 of mother earth, may have his blood purified and his shin cleansed, 

 as well as the inhabitant of the tropics can by the condiments 

 around him have his languid appetite stimulated, and the inci- 

 pient fcver assuaged. In whatever quarter of the globe man may 

 be placed, surely by searching he may find what is best calcu- 

 lated to benefit him. Let him only take the trouble and time to 

 investigate, and turn to advantage what has been so liberally — 

 nay, often so lavishly, we may say — spread out before him, and 

 he will not fail to discover, that an unseeu hand has been long 

 since at work to anticipate his wishes, and supply his needs. 



Montreal, Januarv, 1859. 



