844 TROPICAL NATURE v 
protecting them under glass from our sudden changes of 
temperature, so that they are themselves an additional proof 
that tropical light and heat are not needed for the production 
of intense and varied colour. Another important considera- 
tion is, that these cultivated varieties in many cases displace a 
number of wild species which are hardly, if at all, cultivated. 
Thus there are scores of species of wild hollyhocks varying in 
colour almost as much as the cultivated varieties, and the 
same may be said of the pentstemons, rhododendrons, and 
many other flowers; and if these were all brought together 
in well-grown specimens, they would produce a grand effect. 
But it is far easier, and more profitable for our nurserymen, 
to grow varieties of one or two species, which all require a 
similar culture, rather than fifty distinct species, most of 
which would require special treatment, the result being that 
the varied beauty of the temperate flora is even now hardly 
known, except to botanists and to a few amateurs. 
But we may go further, and say that the hardy plants of 
our cold temperate zone equal, if they do not surpass, the 
productions of the tropics. Let us only remember such 
gorgeous tribes of flowers as the roses, pzonies, hollyhocks, 
and antirrhinums; the laburnum, wistaria, and lilac; the 
lilies, irises, and tulips; the hyacinths, anemones, gentians, 
and poppies, and even our humble gorse, broom, and heather ; 
and we may defy any tropical country to produce masses of 
floral colour in greater abundance and variety. It may be 
true that individual tropical shrubs and flowers do surpass 
everything in the rest of the world ; but that is to be expected, 
because the tropical zone comprises a much greater land area 
than the two temperate zones, while, owing to its more 
favourable climate, it produces a still larger proportion of 
species of plants and a greater number of peculiar natural 
orders. 
Direct observation in tropical forests, plains, and mountains 
fully supports this view. Occasionally we are startled by 
some gorgeous mass of colour, but as a rule we gaze upon an 
endless expanse of green foliage, only here and there enlivened 
by not very conspicuous flowers. Even the orchids, whose 
superb blossoms adorn our stoves, form no exception to 
this rule. It is only in favoured spots that we find them in 
