GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF PLANTS. . 531 
In Central Asia we are transported into the vast regions 
lying between the Himalayas and China, including Japan. 
The Magnolias: these grand-leaved trees, with magnificent 
flowers and delicate aroma, which give such an attractive feature 
to gardens where they can be cultivated, are natives of this vast 
region. So is the Camelia, which has been as it were naturalised in 
the greenhouses of Europe, whose evergreen, glossy, and persistent 
foliage is the admiration of travellers, and of which we may 
reckon upwards of seven hundred varieties of the Camelia Japonica 
alone; and the Tea plant (Thea virides), of whose precious leaves, 
so many millions of pounds are annually imported into Europe. 
Also the Aucuba, with coriaceous leaves and clustered flowers, so 
ornamental in our gardens and shrubberies. ’ Finally the genus 
Celastrus, Hollies, Spindle-tree (Lagerstiemin spire), &c. 
The most remarkable trees and shrubs besides these are the 
elegant Palm (Rhaphis flabeliformis); the Paper Mulberry (Brous- 
sonetia papyrifera); the fragrant Olive (Olea Europea), whose 
flowers are employed to give flavour to Tea leaves; the Ebony 
tree (Diospyros kaki), with white flowers, and berries of a cherry- 
red, and ofa delicious flavour; the Japan Medlar (Mespilus 
Japonica); the Ginko biloba, or Sacred tree, which is planted 
round the temples; the Yews (Taxus mucifera and verticulatea ) ; 
the Cypress (Cupressus pendula); some Junipers, Thujas, and 
Oaks—among the latter, Quercus glabra and glauco; the Alnus 
Japonica, Juglans nigra saad Black Walnut), and several species 
of Laurels and Maples. 
Among the sltzvetad plants we find Rice, Wheat, Barley, Oats, 
Sorghum saracina, Sago-tree (Cycas revoluta); the Caraibian 
Cabbage (Caladium esculentum); Convolvulus batatas, the Apple, 
the Pear, Quince, Plum-tree, Cherry, Apricot, Peach, Medlar of 
Japan, divers species of Orange, Cabbages, Radishes, Yams, 
Cucumbers, Gourds, Water-Melons, Anise (Pimpinella anisum), 
Peas, Haricot Beans, Hemp, Paper Mulberry, Annual Cotton 
plant (Gossypium herbaceum)—a remarkable mingling of vege- 
table production which transports us at one moment from Asia to 
Europe, and at the next from Europe to Asia 
The same curious assemblage of the vegetation of the tropics 
with that of the North of Europe occurs again in respect to culti- 
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