34 
ON ACCLIMATISING GREENHOUSE PLANTS. 
France, and Germany. The strongest instances are those of the common myrtle, 
Pomegranate, and Oleander, all of which, though European plants, perish at a tem- 
perature no way injurious to the Rhododendron ponticum of Asia Minor. This, as 
well as the Rhododendron maximum of North America, is much more hardy than 
the Bay, or even than the Portugal Laurel; though it is probable the Pontic rose Bay 
may be a native of the lower ridge of Caucasus, and the American species generally 
grows in subalpine situations. From Pursh we learn that Rhododendron maximum 
var. 1, roseum, which is the variety common in our gardens, is found near rivulets 
and lakes in the mountains from Canada to Carolina ; var. 2, album, in the shady 
cedar swamps of New Jersey and Delaware ; var. 3, purpureum, near lakes on the 
highest mountains of Virginia and Carolina. The author of the ' Flora of North 
America ' is inclined to think these three distinct species. The Rhododendron 
punctatum is also from the mountains of Carolina, at the head of the Savannah river, 
and Rhododendron catawbiense is a native of the high mountains of Virginia and 
Carolina, at the head of the Catawba river. The Lapland, the Kamtschatkan, the 
two Swiss, and two Siberian rose Bays are also alpine plants, and the same may be 
said of the rare species found on the mountains of Ceylon. This may, in some 
measure, account for these elegant shrubs withstanding our severe and changeable 
winters, though they will not thrive in the fenny parts of Lincoln or Cambridge- 
shire, or in Holland. 
" On the coasts of Greece, Albania, and Dalmatia, I have observed," says 
Mr. Winch, " the limestone rocks covered with the Mastic (Pistaccia lentiscus), 
Myrtle, Rosemary, Laurustinus, common Arbutus, and Juniper. Of these the first 
and second will not survive our winters ; the third, fourth, and fifth will not perfect 
their fruits, except in favourable situations, and when the season proves uncommonly 
mild ; but the last ascends our mountains to the height of 1500 feet. 
" In gardens and well-sheltered grounds the common Laurel of the Levant 
(Primus lusitanica) Prunus lauracerasus, and Portugal Laurel flower freely ; and, 
provided the season be mild, ripen their fruit. The Chinese Rose (Rosa semper- 
florens)saa& the clustered-flowering Quince of Japan (Cydonia speciosa), when protected 
by a wall, flower throughout open winters ; and the latter has perfected its fruit at 
Wallington, and in similar situations. Rosa multiflora, of China ; Buddleia globosa, 
of Chili ; Aucuba japonica, Camellia japonica, and Corchorus japonica, survive our 
severest seasons, and thrive very well ; but the Bay of Italy (Laurus nobilis) flowers 
only in the southernmost parts of Durham, and the sheltered vales of Cumberland. 
On the other hand, the Provence Rose (Rosa centifolia) and the Officinal Rose 
(Rosa gallica), said to be from the south of France, but most probably originally 
from Asia Minor, and the Damask Rose (Rosa damascena) from the same country, 
are to be met with in every garden ; nor is the Musk Rose (Rosa moschata), of the 
north of Africa, very scarce." 
That plants become acclimatised or naturalised to our climate by any species of 
extra culture, such as originating young ones from seeds ripened in this country, &c, 
