xxxii 



PREFACE. 



The learned could not answer these inquiries ; 

 neither could they have explained why certain 

 plants are so choice in the selection of their friends, 

 that they will turn from such as do not please 

 them. We cannot suppose this to be without 

 reason : plants are too amiable to indulge in cause- 

 less antipathies. 



" On pretend encore/' says the Abbe Barthelemy^ que 

 certains arbres ont une influence marquee sur d'autres arbres ; 

 que les oliviers se plaisent dans le voisinage des grenadiers 

 sauvages^ et les grenadiers des jardins dans celui des 

 myrtes 



" They say, too, that certain trees have a marked influence 

 on others ; that olive trees delight in the neighbourhood of 

 the wild pomegranate, and that garden pomegranates delight 

 in that of myrtles." 



" Everlasting hate 



The vine to ivy bears, nor less abhors 

 The colewort's rankness ; but with amorous twine 

 Clasps the tall elm : the Poestan rose unfolds 

 Her bud more lovely near the fetid leek 

 (Crest of stout Britons), and enhances thence 

 The price of her celestial scent : the gourd 

 And thirsty cucumber, when they perceive 

 Th' approaching olive, with resentment fly 

 Her fatty fibres, and with tendrils creep 

 Diverse, detesting contact ; whilst the fig 



* Voyage d'Anacharsis, vol. v. p. 30. 



