104 BERBERIS DARWINII. 



At least forty distinct species of Berberis are now in cultivation in England; 

 and one of these, of still more recent introduction than the plant we have chosen 

 for our illustration, is so remarkable that we are tempted to notice it here. "We 

 allude to the Berberis japonica, discovered by Mr. Fortune on his second visit to 

 China. This magnificent evergreen appears to grow eight feet high, and has 

 pinnated leaves nearly fifteen inches long, the terminal leaflet being, in one 

 specimen, quite five inches in length. Mr. Fortune first met with this species in 

 the neighbourhood of Hwuy-chow-foo, about 150 miles north of Shanghae, and 

 afterwards near Sunglo, whilst engaged in collecting tea plants and seeds for the 

 East India Company. It appears that a specimen of the plant was seen by 

 Mr. Fortune on his journey to the Bohea tea mountains; but, being too large to 

 transport to Shanghae, he was obliged to content himself with carrying off a leaf, 

 with the hope of meeting with smaller examples of the plant in his subsequent 

 travels. On this gentleman's return from the Bohea tea mountains, it chanced 

 that he rested a day or two at the house of the parents of his servant, Wang. 

 Having frequently desired Wang to endeavour to procure him some young plants 

 of the Berberis, without effect — for the natives of the Celestial Empire can rarely 

 be persuaded to trouble themselves in any matter in which their pecuniary interests 

 are not concerned — he one morning called three or four of the family about him, 

 and showing them the leaf which he had brought with him, promised a dollar to 

 any one who would bring him a small plant of the same shrub. ' One of them 

 went out immediately, and, to my surprise and pleasure, returned in less than five 

 minutes with a fresh leaf of the plant in question. "That will do," said I; "that 

 is just the thing I want : bring me a young plant, with good roots, and I will give 

 you the promised reward."' They now held a consultation among themselves in an 

 under tone, and at last said, that the plant in question had some peculiar medical 

 virtues, and that the lucky possessor would not part with it. " Sell me this one," 

 said I ; " and you will be able to buy a dozen others with the money." " No," said 

 they, ' ' the plant belongs to our uncle ; he is rich enough, but he requires a little of 

 the plant now and then when he is unwell, and therefore he will not part with it." 

 This was very provoking ; but the Chinese were firm, and there was nothing for it 

 but to go, as sailors say, "upon another tack." "Well, at all events," said I, "let 

 me see the plant: don't be afraid; I shall not touch it." For some time they 

 refused to do even this ; but, through Wang's influence, they were at last induced 

 to consent, and led the way down to a small cottage garden, completely covered 

 with weeds. There the beautiful shrub was growing apparently neglected, and left 

 to bloom unseen. It seemed very valuable in the uncle's estimation, and he would 

 not sell it, although I tried hard to induce him to do so. It might be that he 

 really valued its medicinal properties, but, as it must be common enough in that 

 part of the country, he could easily have replaced it ; it was not unlikely, therefore, 



