Florentine Garden

But indeed, in the year 1746, when this same Garden was committed to my care by the most excellent FELLOWS OF THE ACADEMY, I began to revolve in my mind all those difficulties which could hinder the splendor and growth of the Garden, and especially the safety of the Plants. For I was persuaded that all Plants, apart from the swarms of insects by which they are most often infested, or long-lasting rains, immoderate cold, and heat, by the blast of which they perish, last only for a peculiar and established age; and although very many are called perennials, they nevertheless by no means exceed the space of life established for them (1). Wherefore, all species brought into the Garden, sooner or later,

(1) Just as it has already been observed that there are found many annual Plants, others biennial or triennial, by observation likewise, although it is difficult to establish, others would be found vegetating to ten, others to twenty, and others to one hundred, and finally others perhaps extending their life to more centuries, at the completion of which interval they necessarily finally perish: Just as I happened to see many times in the most ancient Alpine Forests, where tall fir trees, and aged holm-oaks, and oaks were lying consumed by old age and collapsed.