OF EARTH.

55

of colours, and other qualities, from mineral, or other substances; andthat the very rains and dews differ in several climes: so as even fromthis reason alone, to instance in no more, all plants do not easily becomedenizons in all places :

———“ Nec omnis fert omnia tell us.”

I might add to this, the nicenefs of their palates, and fondnefs to theirown homes, and to live some in consort, some in solitude, some on drybanks, some in watery puddles, and some as it were in the very air, andfiery soils ; nay, some are found to destroy the vegetable virtue wherethey grow, for such are said to be woad, hemp, the Scythian lamb See.

1 This vegetable is called the Tartarian Lamb, from its resemblance in shape to thatanimal. It usually has four stalks which look like feet, and its body is covered with abrownish kind of down- Travellers report that it will suffer no vegetable to grow withina certain distance of its seat. Sir Hans Sloan read a Memoir upon this plant before the

Royal Society; for which consult their Transactions, N°. 24-7, p. Air. Bel), in his

“ Account of a Journey from St. Peterlburgh to Ispahan,” informs us that he searched in vainfor this plant in the neighbourhood of Astrachan, when at the same time the more sensibleand experienced among the Tartars treated the whole history as fabulous. This journeywas undertaken in the year 1715. The annexed plate is taken from Mrs. Blackwell’sHerbal, and seems a just representation of the plant. That given by Edwards has toomuch the appearance of fancy. It is the Polipodium (Barometz) frondibus bipinnatis: pinnispinnatifidis lanceolatis serratis, radicibus lanatls, Linn. Dr, de la Croix, in correct and»asy Latin verse, has described this supposed animal production;

“ Est ubi prsterea tingit sua purpura succos,

Itque cruor nostro siniilis, qui Caspia sulcantJEquora, sive legant spumosa Boristhenis ora;

Sive petant Asiam velis, & Colchica regna.

Hinc atque iude stupent visu mirabile monstrum,'

Surgit humo Baromez. Praecelso in stipite fructusStat quadrupes. Olli vellus.. Duo cornua fronteLanea, nec desunt oculi, rudis Accola creditEfse animal, dormire die, vigilare per urnbram, ,

Et circum exesis pasci radicitus herbis:

Carnibus ambrosias sapor est, succique rubentes,

Posthabeat quibus alma suum Burgundia nectar;

Atque loco si ferre pedem natura dedifset,

Balatu si pofset opem implorare, voracisOra Lupi contri, credas in stirpe sedere, Agqum equitem, gregibusque Agnorum albescere colles.