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open at their base, which convey the rain-water to the root of toe plant. 
The long beards which surmount the coat that is wrapped round the grain, 
are bristled with denticulations, very much adapted to the purpose of making 
them adhere to the hair of animals, and of resowing them in lofty and dry 
situations. The oats, on the contrary, destined to humid places, have 
narrow leaves, gathered close around the stem, in order to intercept the 
rain-water. The coats of this plant distended, similar to two long half¬ 
bladders, and not very closely adhering to the grain, render it proper for 
floating, and crossing the water by the help of the winds. 
Some plants, we observe, are natives of one climate alone/ others seem 
destined as the inhabitants of every part of the earth. Pliny, who has 
preserved to us the origin of the fruit-trees which were in Italy in his time, 
informs us, that most of them had been imported from the islands of the 
Archipelago. The walnut came from Sardinia; the vine , the fig-tree, the 
olive , and many other fruit-trees, were natives of the other islands of the 
Mediterranean. Nay, he observes, that the olive-tree, as well as several 
other plants, thrives only in the vicinity of the sea. All modern travellers 
confirm these observations. Tavernier, who had so many times traversed 
the Asiatic continent, assures us, that no olive-trees are to be seen beyond 
Aleppo. An English traveller positively asserts, that no where, on the 
Continent, are there to be found fig-trees, vines, mulberries, as well as many 
other fruit-trees, that can be compared, either as to magnitude or fertility, 
with those of the Archipelago, notwithstanding the carelessness and indolence 0 
of the wretched possessors. To these 1 might add a great many other 
vegetables, which thrive only in those islands, and which furnish to the 
commerce of Europe, gums, mannas, fee. The apple-tree, so common in 
France, produces no where such fine fruit, and of species so varied, as on 
the shores of Normandy, under the breath of the sea-breeze from the west. 
I have no doubt that the fruit which was proposed as the prize of beauty 
had, like Fenus herself, some favourite Isle. 
* Thus it is, that Arabia produces, or, in more appropriate language, placed by a kind Deity, 
the Camel and Dromedary are to be found adapted for those burning sands, which they can traverse 
heavily laden, without drinking, having a reservoir within themselves; the Lamas, in Peru, destined 
for climbing; the Kangaroo of Botany Bay; the Reindeer of Lapland, which feeds on the lichen, 
and has its feet adapted for the snow; the Rhinoceros, who, in the marshes of Asia, by means of its 
soles can disengage itself with ease; the Elephant, approaching to humanity by means of reason, &c. 
How far all or any of these can be naturalized to our climates, or colonies, remains to be proved. 
