The Shrubs of America, 291 



and lasvigatus, Philadelphus graiidiflorus and inodorus, Ribes 

 sanguineum, aureum, and other species ; Symphoria race- 

 mosa, Diervilla lutea, Fiburnum lentago, and several species ; 

 Faccinium, many species ; Clethra alnifolia, and other spe- 

 cies; Andromeda, several species; Ledums, several species; 

 Chionanthus virginica, Dirca palustris, Eleagnus argentea, 

 &c. Of rhododendrons, Pursh, in his Flora, edition of 1814, 

 enumerates five species and varieties, and of azaleas, sixteen 

 species ; but since the multiplication of varieties by seed, 

 these native species and varieties have less value. 



It would be interesting to trace the introduction of many 

 of our native trees and shrubs to England. It would scarcely 

 be believed that years ago, in 18©6, one single lot of plants 

 was carried home by John Lyon, the catalogue of which, 

 when made out for sale by auction, filled thirty-four closely 

 printed pages, and occupied four days in the sale. And in 

 1812, another lot, nearly as large, was again carried home. 

 The first lot was supposed to be the largest ever brought to 

 England at one time by one individual. At this period, when 

 trees and plants are imported by millions, it scarcely seems 

 possible that our exports were once nearly as great as our 

 imports now. The rage for some particular kinds of trees 

 and shrubs was excessively great. The Marquis of Bland- 

 ford, afterwards Duke of Marlborough, in 1801, began to 

 make a collection of the choicest trees and shrubs. About 

 that time, American plants, such as magnolias, rhododendrons, 

 azaleas, &c., being rare, bore enormously high prices, and the 

 Duke frequently paid Mr. Lee, of Hammersmith, twenty to 

 thirty guineas per plant. The history of the introduction of 

 American plants to Europe would be read with much interest, 

 and we hope to find the opportunity to refer to it hereafter. 

 From the conclusion of the Revolution to 1812 the number 

 of species and quantities of plants sent abroad, chiefly to 

 England and France, was immense. Catesby, John and 

 Wm. Bartram, Andre Michaux, Eraser, and Lyon, were the 

 principal collectors of the latter part of the eighteenth century ; 

 and to their exertions we are indebted for the many species 

 which are now to be obtained at such reasonable prices from 

 foreign cultivators. 



