X 
INTRODUCTION. 
variety. The tropical divifion certainly affords thofe 
which principally contribute to the more luxurious 
fcenes of fplendour, as Myrtus communis, Myrt. ca~ 
jyophyllata, Myrt. pimenta, Caryophillus aromati- 
cus, Laurus cinnam. Laurus camphor. Laurus Peril-* 
ca, Nux mofch. Illicium, Camelia, Punka, Cactus 
melo-cachis, Cactus grandiflora, Gloriofa fuperba, 
Theobroma, Adanfonia digitata, Nyctanthes, Pfidi- 
um, Mufa paradifica, Mufa fapientum, Garcinia 
mangoftana, Cocos nucifera, Citrus, Citrus aur antr- 
um, Cucurbita citrulius, Hyacinchus, Amaryllis, 
Narciflus, Poinciana pulcherrima, Crinum, Cactus 
cochinellifer. 
But the temperate zone (including by far the 
greater portion of the earth, and a climate the molt 
favourable to the increafe and fupport of animal life, 
as well as for the exercife and activity of the human 
faculties) exhibits fcenes of infinitely greater variety, 
magnificence, and confequence, with refpect to hu- 
man economy, in regard to the various ufes or ve- 
getables. 
For inftance ; Triticum Cereale, which affords 
us bread, and is termed by way of eminence, the 
iiaff of life, the moil: pleaiant and nourifhing food 
to all terrefirial animals. Vitis vinifera, whofe ex- 
hilarating juice is faid to cheer the hearts of gods 
and men. Oryza, Zea, Pyrus, Pyrus malus, Pru- 
nus, Pr. cerafus, Ficus, Neclarin, Apricot, Cydo- 
nia. Next follow the illuftrious families of foreli-' 
trees, as the Magnolia grandiflora and Quercus 
fempervirens, which form the venerated groves and 
folemn lhades, on the Mimmppi, Alatamaha and 
Florida ; the magnificent CupreiTus difticha of Caro- 
lina and Florida ; the beautiful W ater Oak*, whofe 
vail hemispheric head prefents the likenefs of a dif- 
tant grove in the fields and favannas of Carolina ; the 
* Qi ercas Fen Tpherlca. 
gigantic 
