187 



weed the brassica oleracea, common in many 

 parts of the kingdom. The grape and the fig 

 are not indigenous to France, but by cultivation 

 have become naturalized there ; in like manner, 

 the orange in Italy, and the cherry among us. 



But no example can better demonstrate the 

 extraordinary power of the efforts of man in 

 overcoming, by the effects of culture, the pecu- 

 liar habits in which individuals of the vegetable 

 kingdom have naturally been placed, and habitu- 

 ating them to other circumstance, than the Sibe- 

 rian crab. This tree, when first introduced into 

 Britain from Siberia, put forth its leaves and 

 flowers at the first indication of the approach 

 of spring. While other trees yet wore the garb 

 of winter, this was gaily decked in all the beau- 

 ties of May. In its native country the interval 

 between winter and summer is but short ; there 

 is scarcely any spring, and that at once bursts 

 forth into a glorious summer. There it had not 

 been accustomed to the second winter so com- 

 mon with us, or to the sudden checks vegetation 

 so frequently receives during our deceitful spring ; 

 and it broke from a state of torpor and inactivity 

 with the earliest retreat of winter. The conse- 

 quences were such as might have been anticipa- 

 ted, with the first frost it received a check its 

 shoots, unable to withstand the shock, perished. 

 But now view this tree, so ornamental to our 

 gardens and our shrubberies ; by cultivation 

 the results of the labour of man its habits have 



