C 32 3 



arc they much in the way as the place which 

 fuitsthem beft is clofe to the Item windows; in 

 this cafe they need not be furnifhed with their 

 canvas covers ; and they may frequently have 

 air, by opening the windows when the weather 

 is quite moderate. 



As the Chinefe ingraft many plants which they 

 introduce into their dwelling houfes, and which 

 may be purchafed in a healthy ftate of vegeta- 

 tion, it is a neceffary caution, not to earth fuch 

 plants in the paffage too high with mould, as 

 they are thereby liable to rot, or be otherwife 

 injured by fuch means. The rolling of the fhip 

 has fometimes removed the earth, in which they 

 are planted, and many fine collections have been 

 deliro ed by replacing the earth too high on the 

 items, particularly of luch plants as have been 

 engrafted, a practice very general with the 

 Chinefe, 



From the frequent inconvenience of the roll- 

 ing of fhips, which fometimes unearths the 

 plants, or otherwife injures them, were the 

 boxes or pots to Hand upon a ftage, moveable 

 like the mariner's compafs, it would certainly af- 

 ford the bell conveyance: this was 'prepared at 

 confiderable expence, in the veffel commanded 

 by Captain Bligh, to convey the bread-fruit 

 tree, and other vegetables from the South- Seas : 

 the plants he had procured were in high health, 

 when this laudable and princely plan was frultrat- 

 ed by a mutiny on board, to be lamented by e- 

 very man of fcience and philanthropy. In 

 merchants fhips, where commerce is the object 

 of the voyage, and where fpace and conveni- 

 ence 



