of New Hampshire. 45 



them has in some instances been carried further than a strict 

 adherence to the present grounds of botanical distinction will 

 justify. Yet there still remain species whollv agreeing in their 

 botanical characters, but sufficiently differing in their qualities, 

 places of growth, times of flowering, &c. to render it not im- 

 probable that they are distinct. A species of M.fliusa grows 

 about Boston, which externally bears the strictest comparison 

 with JEthiisa Cynap'um of Europe. It is iiowever altogether 

 destitute of the nauseous or garlic taste for which that plant is 

 noted. Meriyavtlirs /ri/f>Z«a/a in New-England flowers a month 

 earlier than in Great Britain, though our seasons are perhaps 

 always more backward. Botanists have not yet distinguished 

 the chesnut-tree of this country from that of Europe, although 

 its wood is weak and brittle, auil never used, as in Europe, for 

 hoops and other purposes where strength and tenacity are re- 

 quired. On grounds like the foregoing a great number of ve- 

 getables which have not emigrated to us since the discovery of 

 America, vnd which are not found far to the north of us, may be 

 suspected of beintr really distinct in nature from those which nearly 

 resemble them in Europe, and are known by the same names*. 



But as we approach toward the north, and arrive in high lati- 

 tudes, the probability of finding plants identically the same is 

 greatly increased. About the arctic circle, the two continents 

 approach each other so nearly, and are so connected by ice 

 during part of the year, that they may, as far as botany is con- 

 cerned, be considered the same country. The same plants may 

 be equally disseminated on both, and these may extend as far 

 toward the south as the general coldness of the flimate suited to 

 their constitution continues. Beyond this they may for some 

 distance be found in alpine situations on the tops of the highest 



* Still we should strictly beware of hastily changing names, and establish- 

 inii new species on slis^iit «ir donhtful distinctions. Botany, at present, 

 knows no other mode of distin^uisjiing plants, tiian that by their external 

 forms, and to this, in the present state of the science, we must rii;i(ily ad- 

 here. If an American plant cnimot readily be distinguished from an 

 European, liy a clear specific character, no harm can ensue, and ninch con- 

 fusion may he avoided, hv snfforini; it to remain as a variety, uihI'T that 

 same specific name. A zeal for the discovery and establislimeiit of new 

 species, h.iwever lauilable in its general object, has been productive of 

 much mischit.f to the botany of this country. We have harl many specific 

 names founded in varieties, and many accompanied witii hasty and imper- 

 fect descriptions, wiiicii leave it doubtful whether they refer to species or 

 varieties. DifTereiit botanists, v\ithout cominimication or inti^icourse with 

 each otiier, ha\e described the same plants under different names, and 

 different plants under the same names, in various parts of the country. 

 There is at present no greater obstacle to the progress of botany here, 

 than the load of uncertain synonyms, doubtful species, and superfluous 

 names, with which many of our best books arc encumbered. 



mountains. 



