The first half of the eighteenth century brought us the Aubretia and
the sweet pea from southern Europe, the first Pelargoniums (scarlet
geraniums) from the Cape, the camellia and Kerria japonica from the
far east. The West Indian heliotrope was introduced in 1713; the
better-known Peruvian species not till 1757. Phloxes began to be
imported from North America. Two or three foreign orchids were already
known, and the number now began to increase; but it was not till the
nineteenth century that they came over in crowds. Our list gives no
notion whatever of the number of new species added now and subsequently.
Of the accessions made during the latter half of the eighteenth century
we must at least mention the mignonette from North Africa, white arabis
from the Caucasus, the common rhododendron from Asia Minor, Rosa
indica and Hydrangea hortensis from China, South African gladioli,
which now begin to be numerous, and chrysanthemums from China and
Japan. The first calceolarias were brought from great heights on the
Andes, the first begonias from Jamaica, and the first fuchsia from
Chili.
We can make only one remark about the multitudinous accessions of
the nineteenth century. It is surprising to note how recently many
established favourites have been brought to the knowledge of English
gardeners. Anemone japonica (Japan) and Jasminum nudiflorum (China)
date from 1844, while the Freesias (Cape Colony) are as recent as
1875. The dahlia, after two unsuccessful attempts, was established
here as recently as 1815; Nemophila insignis came over from North
America in 1822; the common musk and the monkey-plant a few years
later; the chionodoxas (Crete and Asia Minor) in 1877. The first of the
foliage-begonias (Begonia rex from Assam) dates only from 1858, and the
first of the tuberous species from 1865.
Importation of foreign species has not been the only method by which
English gardens have been enriched. New varieties and hybrids have
been produced in bewildering numbers by the gardeners of Europe, and
many of these far surpass in beauty the wild originals. Botanists
and nurserymen could relate in great detail the steps by which our
favourite roses, calceolarias, begonias, and cinerarias have been
developed from a few natural stocks, sometimes of uninviting appearance.
Horticulture has repaid the debt which it owed to the explorations
of botanists by furnishing countless observations and experiments
bearing upon inheritance. When these have been properly co-ordinated,
they will yield precious knowledge, not only to botanists but to all
students of biology.
Humboldt as a Traveller and a Biologist.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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