UNCLE IN ENGLAND. 31 



contains within itself some vegetable prod actions 

 which are, at times, an invaluable resource to 

 the poor inhabitants. For instance, in that part 

 of the Russian empire near the Caspian Sea, 

 called the Steppes, their principal food, in some 

 years, consists of mushrooms, dried and powdered, 

 and made into bread, which is neither unwhole- 

 some nor unpleasant." 



IQth. My aunt's flower-garden is certainly 

 very pretty, and with those of my cousins, which 

 join it, make a delightful spot ; and they all 

 seem to be so fond of their flowers, and to find 

 so much pleasure in gardening, that I begin to 

 think I should like to assist them ; but at present 

 lam contented with watching what they do. 



My aunt said tome, when we were walking there, 

 " After all, Bertha, I must confess, that the ob- 

 jection I made yesterday against the prickly pear, 

 of its not being adapted to this climate, was not 

 very wise; for had our gardeners been prevented 

 by such fears, we should not now have the variety 

 of foreign plants that we possess, and many of 

 which are not only pretty, but highly useful." 



I asked her whether it was true, that many of 

 the vegetables, now common in kitchen-gardens, 

 have been brought from other countries. 



" Yes," said she, " several of the most useful 

 species have been brought from Asia into Europe, 

 and in the course of two thousand years have 



