718 



portion of the latter having been formed artificially. The estate on 

 which the plant grows is called Sheep-wash, and is about five miles 

 from South Molton, and a mile and a half from Mollond, but not in 

 the most direct road between the two places. After you leave the 

 turnpike-road from South Molton to Wilvelescombe, you descend 

 into the valley, and cross a stream ; but, instead of turning to the 

 left, the road to Twitching should be followed. The plant grows 

 nearly at the top of the hill, just below where the road suddenly turns 

 down into the Mollond valley. There is a farm-house at no very great 

 distance from the spot ; but I do not think it possible that the lily can 

 have been introduced thence, as I cannot find any traces of the plant 

 in the field or orchard intervening. Mr. Kew, the tenant, tells me 

 it is not growing in his garden ; and I do not think that it is culti- 

 vated anywhere in the neighbourhood. The plant has all the appear- 

 ance of being truly wild, and I feel much inclined to look upon it as 

 a native ; at all events, it has equal claims with its congener, L. Mar- 

 tagon, to be considered as such. It must have taken a very long 

 time to spread to its present limits, as it only increases by roots, and 

 ^ does not perfect seeds, or multiply by axillary bulbils, like some of 

 the species. The inability to produce seed seems to militate against 

 its being under the most natural circumstances ; but many plants that 

 are re-produced easily by their conservative organs are shy at perfect- 

 ing seeds. It would be interesting to know whether or not the plant 

 produces seed in a wild state in Southern Europe. I believe the most 

 northerly stations that have been recorded for it are in Provence and 

 the Pyrenean range. 



" It must not be forgotten that the cultivation of the soil affects the 

 distribution of plants in two ways : it not only tends to equalize the 

 flora of different countries, by the transmission of seeds with imported 

 grain, and by various other means ; but, when the condition of soil and 

 climate have been altered by cultivation, many plants will become e.r- 

 termmated. Every agri^lturist knows what a change takes place in 

 the plants of a meadow on its being properly drained, the Carices and 

 rushes giving place to the grasses, which delight in a drier and warmer 

 soil. Many of the rarer Orchises are becoming scarcer every year j 

 and if a perfect system of arable culture were extended throughout 

 this country, the number of our Orchideae would grow " small by de- 

 grees and beautifully less," till at last the whole family, with many 

 other plants of similar habit, would become extinct. When we con- 

 sider the large proportion of England that is under the dominion of 

 the plough, we must not be surprised at plants like the lily being but 



