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Vegetable Regions of America. 



We have noticed in a brief view of the forest trees of our country 

 some of the boundaries of its vegetable productions ; and as we have 

 not space to say more in reference to American vegetation, we here 

 add a map of the vegetable regions of the new world, which illustrates 

 what has been said and conveys a comprehensive view of what we 

 might further say on that interesting subject. Indeed, no description, 

 we are convinced, will so well present particular regions and stations 

 of plants throughout our continent as this. Cultivated plants, it will 

 be seen, are distinguished by roman letters, and those growing wild by 

 italics ; those which are native or indigenous, and those which are 

 foreign or exotics are also distinguished. 



It will not be supposed that the plants named grow exclusively in 

 the spots designated, or that they are not to be found on the eastern 

 continent. We show the situations in which they thrive best here, 

 or more properly their natural situations, whether cultivated or grow- 

 ing wild. The plants mentioned, are confined to those cultivated 

 mostly in the garden, or employed in medicine or in the arts. 



The attention of naturalists has been much engaged lately m the 

 geography of plants, and the subject is one calculated to interest all 

 others having a taste for the study of nature. Of the vast number 

 of species few belong indiscriminately to all climates or situations, 

 but are located, as we have before observed, according to certain 

 peculiarities of organization, or their habits and requirements, as 

 animals evidently are. Although the climate, on both continents 

 may be strikingly similar, and other circumstances to all appearance 

 the same, yet very dissimilar plants will inhabit one or the other. 

 Those, too, which originally belonged to particular parts of the world 

 are found, when removed, to enjoy their new home quite as well as 

 their old one, and even better ; as the potato, the grains, etc. ; while 

 others pine and die, or continue a dwindled type of their original, of 

 change their nature essentially. 



The temperate region comprehending our country is remarkably 

 distinguished by the variety, splendor, and value of its vegetable pro- 

 ductions, compared with those of the same latitudes on the Eastern 

 Continent. The form of our continent and disposition of our moun- 

 tains admit of a far greater intermixture of vegetable productions 

 than the warm and cold climates of the old world. No where 

 else do the cereal grains, or natural families of grasses, taken col- 

 lectively, or the Leguminous plants, so valuable for their pod-fruits, 

 grow in so great a perfection, or afford such abundant supplies of food 

 for man and the lower animals as in our country. In this respect we 

 enjoy the principal advantages of every climate on the earth ; a pri- 

 vilege, or national and natural blessing realized by no other people. 

 Well did the learned and enthusiastic Humboldt say, in view of this 

 fact It seems as if nature had labored to adorn the Land of Freedom !" 





