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described as sufficient to counterbalance even the pleasure 

 which arises from the boundless variety, and infinite 

 beauty, of the creation around. The flowery trees of a 

 tropical forest raise themselves far above the human 

 grasp. They must be felled before we can gather their 

 blossoms. The insidious and mortal reptile twines among 

 their boughs, and the venomous insect stings beneath 

 their shade. We who enjoy the productions of these cli- 

 mates in peace and safety in our gardens, may well ac- 

 knowledge our obligations to the labour and zeal of those 

 who, by arduous journeys and painful researches, supply 

 us with the riches of every country in succession. We 

 do not, indeed, enjoy them in perfection ; but we can 

 study and investigate at leisure their various beauties and 

 distinctions. We can compare them with our books, 

 and profit by the acuteness of former observers. We can 

 perpetuate, by the help of the pencil or the pen, whatever 

 is novel or curious. We can preserve the plants and 

 flowers themselves for subsequent examination, and re- 

 turn to them again and again in our closet, when winter 

 has fixed his seal on all the instruction and pleasure af- 

 forded by the vegetable creation abroad. Yet let not the 

 sedentary botanist exult in his riches, or rejoice too heed- 

 lessly in the abundance of his resources. A plant ga- 

 thered in its native soil, and ascertained by methodical 

 examination, is more impressed on the memory, as well 

 as more dear to the imagination, than many that are ac- 

 quired with ease, and named by tradition or report. The 

 labours of its acquisition and determination enhance its 

 value, and the accompaniments of delightful scenery, or 

 pleasing society, are recollected, when difficulties and 

 toils are forgotten. 



The western continent is, with respect to botany, al- 

 most a world in itself. There exists, indeed, a general 

 affinity between the plants of North America and those 

 of Europe, and many species of the arctic regions are the 

 same in both ; but there are few common to the more 



