344 



Plants, characteristic of Different Nations. By Professor 

 Schouw. 



[No. 15 of a Series of popular Physical Lectures by Professor Schouw, published at Copen- 

 hagen, 1837. Translated for the " Calcutta Journal of Natural History," by Dr. Cantor.] 



If we examine the geographic distribution and diffusion 

 of plants, we generally speaking do so with reference to the 

 different zones, climates, parts of the world, or to the dif- 

 ferent elevation above the sea, on which they are found ; 

 as for instance, when we inquire within which degrees of la- 

 titude the palms grow, in which parts of the earth the vine 

 is cultivated, or at what elevation, the alpine vegetation 

 appears. 



At present, however, we propose to examine plants with 

 reference to the different races of men and nations, to in- 

 quire which plants were originally distributed to each of 

 them, and thus rendered of vital importance. 



In the happy clime of the South Sea Islands, within the 

 tropics, appears the bread-fruit tree, almost entirely sup- 

 porting the inhabitants. This fine large tree with its rich 

 foliage, yields a great number of farinaceous fruits, which 

 when boiled, acquire a flavour like white bread. Three 

 such trees are sufficient to support a human being during 

 eight months of the year — the period during which the fruits 

 successively ripen, while the rest of the year is supplied by 

 roots that have been brought to perfection in the earth. 

 As Captain Cook observed, it is easy in these islands to pro- 

 vide for oneself and children ; a man needs only to plant ten 

 such trees, and his family will have plenty of food ; and 

 besides, the wood affords material for boats, tools, &c. and 

 the woody tissue for clothing. 



Another tree, conspicuous particularly on the low oceanic 

 coral islands, and no less so in the Indian archipelago be- 

 tween Asia, and New Holland, as well as on the coasts of 



