300 THE HISTORY OF 



spaniel, the useful hunting companion and the rescuing 

 St. Bernard's dog, or from any rugged sheep the precious 

 Merino-lamb, so in the world of plants he can elevate the 

 Useless which Nature has given him, into an object worthy 

 of his cultivation. 



The changes which Man has caused in the distribution 

 of vegetables cannot appear so important as the above 

 interferences. But it is only what we expect, when we 

 find that the Economic and Food plants follow Man every- 

 where, where the climatal conditions of their growth are 

 met with. These wanderings of plants are arranged and 

 carried out by Man intentionally. But in the rear of these 

 armies of plants, like the rabble of marauders and thieves 

 following a great human army, a number of other plants 

 are inseparable followers, which Man, when he takes one 

 wild plant, must, as it were, receive as an addition to his 

 bargain, I mean the Weeds, It may safely be asserted, 

 that a portion of our field plants which are never found 

 anywhere with us but among certain definite crops, are not 

 indigenous, but introduced along with the seed among 

 which they are met with. Among such unbidden guests 

 may be enumerated the lowly Pheasant's-eye, the Blue- 

 bottle, the Corn-cockle, the Field Poppy (P. Argemone), 

 the Larkspur (D. Consolida), the Lolium linicola, the 

 Hemp, and many others. 



In a still higher degree, spontaneously, and without the 

 conscious co-operation of Man, a certain number of plants 

 attach themselves to the Lord of Creation, and follow him 

 whithersoever he goes, wheresoever upon the earth he takes 

 up his abode ; not in company with the cultivated plants he 

 has brought with him, but in his immediate vicinity, 

 settling round his barns, his stables, or on manure and 

 compost heaps. It is more than probable that the different 



