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[Page 25]
Regions are extremely similar in their Classes, in their Qualities, and manner of Growth, and even in their Species.
Both Indies agree in producing a far larger Number of Trees, compared with the Number of Herbs than either the Temperate or the Frigid Zones. They are distinguished too, by the numerous Tribes of Palms of succulent Plants of bacciferous, pomiferous and nunciferous Trees, and by various other natural Classes of Plants, common to both, but of which they have the exclusive possession. Both the Indies are also peculiarly fruitful in the Gummy and Resinous plants, and in the hot, bitter and aromatick Barks and Fruits. They singularly abound in the Scandent and Arborescent Herbs, and tho' strongly distinguished from the other Zones of the Earth, are perfectly similar to each other, in their whole System of Vegetables.
This similarity in the Plants of the East and West Indies, appear still more perfect when we descend to Individuals. And to give but one Instance of this, I find upon enquiry, that in the Island of Jamaica alone there are no less than 106 Species of native plants already known which are also indigenous in those parts of the East Indies, from whence the Plants of the above Catalogues are proposed to be transported to that Island. And when the Plants of both Countries come to be better known, there is little doubt that this will be found to be but a small part of the Number, which is common to both.
All these Facts lead us to conclude that the Climates of the Equinoctial parts of Asia is in nothing essentially different with regards to Plants from that of the Equinoctial parts of America, and that in both its influence upon Vegetation is the same.