Book IV.  Sland of BARBADOS. 
grow luxuriant, in a particular Soil, or in the Shade, might perhaps be 
{carce kept alive, if too much expofed to the Sun, or unnaturally fituated : 
Nor are Specimens from Hot-houfes in cold Climates to be depended 
upon ; for the Inconftancy of artificial Heat, caufing fudden Tranfitions 
from the required natural Degree of Heat to unnatural Cold, frequently 
occafions great Alterations in them. This, among many other Inftances, 
may be clearly feen in the irregular Growth of the 4werican Torch in 
moft Green-houfes. 
And, indeed, after all our Accuracy, it muft be owned, that as the 
Growth of Plants depends fo much, even in their natural Climates, upon 
the different and uncertain Seafons of the Year, it would be more rath 
than judicious to pretend abfolutely to afcertain the determinate Size of 
the Leaves, or the exact Growth of any Species of Plants. 
Nor is the Colour of the fame Plant always the fame. Thus the 
young Leaves of the Sea-fide Grape are intirely red; but, when old, alto- 
gether green, except the middle and tranfverfe Ribs. 
It will likewife be of Ufetoobferve, that as, in the Infancy of fettling this 
Ifland, Caprice and Chance had a greater Share, than Botanic Skill and 
Judgment, in impofing Names upon our Vegetables; feveral of our 
Plants have many and different Names in different Parts of the Ifland. 
With this Caution to my Readers, I fhall, I hope, not only myfelf 
efcape the Charge of Omiffions, but they will likewife avoid that Con- 
fufion, which would otherwife, in the Courfe of this Work, be almoft un- 
avoidable. 
As to our feveral Trees, Shrubs, and Plants, that abound with Oil, 
Gums, or Balfams; the curious Inquirer muft likewife take Notice, that 
thefe, generally fpeaking, are not to be expeéted but from Vegetables 
that are full-grown, and at particular Seafons of the Year. 
After all my expenfive Care and Trouble,.and a ftri@ Attachment to 
Truth in all my Obfervations ; yet I make no doubt but this Treatife 
hath many unavoidable Imperfections. For, to fpeak with the Poet, 
Whoever thinks a faultle[s Piece to fee, » 
Thinks what ne'er was, nor is, nor eer foal be. 
Porn’s Effay on Crit. 
