Naturalization of Plants. 201 



still further confirmed since that date, by more trials of the same 

 nature ; and the object of this paper is to relate the several facts 

 or to name the plants in question, accompanying them by any 

 remarks that may possess an interest on this subject. But I must 

 not here conceal that the opinion in question, as to our power 

 over plants in this manner, is not by any means so demonstrated 

 that it must be erected into a law. There are some cases in 

 which no such results have taken place, others in which the gain 

 in point of hardiness is doubtful ; while, I believe, I may safely 

 add here the opinion of Mr. Sabine, that, if I mistake not, the 

 whole is a fallacy (I hope I do not misrepresent his opinion): 

 lamenting, at the same time, that there should be such high 

 authority for a belief so little consolatory, for what, if really true, 

 will deprive us of many expected sources of pleasure. 



However, till the demonstration of the fallacy of this opinion 

 is completed, it would be bad policy not to persist in the same 

 trials, when we consider the advantages that would be derived from 

 them, should they be true, even in a small number of cases. If 

 it should happen, as may yet turn out the fact, that there are plants 

 in which this succeeds, though there are others in which it fails, 

 from circumstances in their several constitutions yet unknown to 

 us, the effect of admitting the general or universal fallacy of the 

 opinion would be to paralyze all future efforts, and with this also, 

 perhaps, to limit our general attempts as to that natural hardiness 

 in which some plants differ from others, although natives of the 

 same climate. 



This last fact seems unquestionable, in whatever way it is to be 

 explained : and it is chiefly from want of attention to it, that so 

 many plants were so long, and so many yet are, imprisoned in our 

 greenhouses and stoves, when capable of bearing the free climate, 

 and thriving, in fact, far better in the open air. The mere 

 knowledge of all these, which can only be the result of trial, 

 would be a considerable gain, not merely as a question of economy 

 with respect to buildings and fire, but from the additions they 

 would make to our gardens and shrubberies. 



And it is partly for the purpose of increasing those trials that 



