GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. 13 



PART IV. AMERICA. 



This Continent is divided into North and 

 South America, by the Isthmus of Panama. As 

 OrcMclece have a wide distribution in this quarter 

 of the globe, the mention of a few of the prin- 

 cipal places may serve as a reference, without 

 extending this subject too far, and prove useful 

 as well as interesting to many as a guide to their 

 cultivation. 



The principal places in North America, where 

 they abound, are the divisions of Mexico and 

 Guatimala ; the first includes Oaxaca or Guaxaca, 

 Xalapa, and Vera Cruz ; the latter includes 

 Honduras and Costa Rica ; and from various 

 parts of both divisions some of our finest va- 

 rieties have been introduced. The average tem- 

 perature of these countries may be stated at 65°, 

 sometimes rising as high as 80°, and again at 

 the opposite season falling to nearly the freezing 

 point ; an excessive evaporation and deposit of 

 moisture takes places alternately, day and night, 

 in the low lands, where these plants are most 

 numerous. 



The commencement of the rainy season occurs 

 between the beginning of the month of June and 

 that of July, and generally ends in the month of 

 October, the dry season only lasting eight months. 



