ACCLIMATIZATION, ETC. 283 



distinguished chiefly by the size, form, and variegation of their 

 leaves. 



Japan and China are the home of the original single species. It 

 is found in those countries with the variegated variety also as a 

 bush I to 2 m. high, quite frequently, especially in the bushy forests 

 of hilly parts of the country, also cultivated in temple groves and 

 gardens. I'he story of its introduction into Western lands is 

 not without interest. Thunberg's first description of the plant 

 appeared in 1784. A year before, John Graeffer had brought 

 to England! a female specimen with variegated leaves {Aticuba 

 japonica, var. pimctata) (unequal yellowish white spots scattered 

 over the yellowish green of the leaf's surface). From this plant 

 have sprung nearly all the innumerable bushes which are now to 

 be found in Europe and North America, either in the open air or 

 as ornamental plants in the house. They are propagated every- 

 where, and very easily by means of slips. At first the Aucuba was 

 cared for very tenderly in hothouses, as in France ; but it was 

 found that the plant was better adapted to the cold house, and 

 finally it was ventured out of doors. The moist atmosphere of 

 England, with its mild winters and cool, damp summers, is most 

 favourable to its growth. It is more frequent in London than any 

 other evergreen, even in the humblest gardens, and one may find finer 

 specimens of it there than even in Japan. In the Netherlands, also, 

 and France, and in the warmer portions of Germany, especially at 

 Bonn and thereabouts, Aucuba plays an important part as an ever- 

 green out-of-door plant, and is seen much oftener than the cherry 

 laurel, the Ilex, and others. It freezes in other parts of Germany 

 in winter, and although, as a rule, it starts up again from the roots, 

 cannot be well cultivated out of doors. The dry, hot summers of 

 Southern Europe are also unfavourable. In Northern Italy and 

 the South of France it is seen extensively, but farther south it falls 

 off rapidly, and is at last only found where it can be specially pro- 

 tected, and in shady places. 



For more than a hundred years this female Aucuba has been 

 cultivated in its many varieties with variegated leaves. But grown 

 either in the changeable air of the house, or out of doors in the 

 greatest variety of soil and treatment, it has not materially altered 

 its original variegated form, nor in one leaf even, to say nothing 

 of its entire individuality, returned to its former simple green 

 colouring. Can this variegation, so constant in appearance, be 

 simply a disease ? 



Up to 1862, only this female Aucuba (plant veuve, as it is 

 called by Siebold) was known in Europe. At that tim.e Fortune 

 found the male plant in China, also the single green-leaved original, 

 and sent both to England. Siebold also, at that time, made 

 the Dutch gardeners acquainted with the original plant from 



2 Alton : " Hortus Kewensis," V. p. 257. 



