73 § 
Acclimatisation from another Side. [December, 
VII. ACCLIMATISATION FROM ANOTHER SIDE. 
« OME months back a paper on “ Acclimatisation ” was 
laid before our readers.* In it the author contended 
that the introduction of an alien plant or animal into 
any countiy was, from the point of view of organic geography, 
a mistake, as rendering it sometimes difficult to ascertain its 
indigenous flora and fauna. Economically considered, it is 
still more objectionable if the introduced species are weeds, 
granivorous birds, or mammals capable of maintaining them- 
selves in a feral or semi-feral state, not to speak of death- 
snakes or beasts of prey. This subject derives an additional 
importance if we remember that there is in England no 
distinct law against importing and turning loose rattle- 
snakes, wolves, jaguars, &c. 
Lut the introduction of useful and beautiful plants stands 
on a quite different footing, and, if scientifically carried out, 
may not merely prove a public benefit, but may throw light 
upon the pait taken by natural selection in the origin of 
species. 
Lut,. unfoi tunately, the introduction of new plants has 
been hitheito attempted in a manner anything but scientific. 
At present plants from regions not differing too widely in 
temperature from that of England are introduced, and 
attempts aie made, after a fasnion, to accustom them to our 
climate. I hey aie. set in places sheltered from northerly 
and easterly winds, and freely open to the sun ; and they 
ai e pioteCted by means of matting and other devices in cases 
of severe frost. Or otherwise they are raised in a cool 
gieenhouse, moved into the open air in the summer and 
left out year by year, as they grow stronger for a greater 
length of time. 
But there seems to have been no systematic attempt to 
conduct the acclimatising process on the principle of selec- 
tion. Our florists and nurserymen apply this principle most 
thoroughly in their attempts to produce new flowers or new 
fiuit tiees. ^ When a bed of young plants has come into 
bloom, or a plot of young trees, be they pears, plums, or 
what not, has fruited for the first time, they are “rogued.” 
* Journal of Science, 1885, p. 205. 
