36 THE GEOGRAPHY OF PLANTS. 



suspended by strings from the ceiling of a 

 room. In this state they will grow for some 

 time, blossoming freely, and their beauty and 

 fragrance cause them to be regarded as favour- 

 ite ornaments. 



In having thus enumerated the principal 

 kinds of soil and situation which plants inhabit, 

 it is not to be supposed that every known 

 species might be ranked under one or other of 

 these, for there are many . plants which will 

 grow in several stations indifferently ; thus our 

 common thrift, (Armeria maritima,) though 

 generally found as a maritime plant, growing 

 abundantly in marshes and pastures on the 

 sea-coast, is sometimes found far away from 

 the sea-air, at a considerable altitude on moun- 

 tains, and it will also grow freely in the most 

 inland gardens, as a cultivated plant. The 

 majority of plants, however, prefer a particular 

 situation, such as one of those we have indicated, 

 having the conditions suitable to its growth, 

 and will not succeed well in any other. 



