They had not got as far as Ireland before Ireland was parted off from England.
And St.Patrick's cabbage, and a good many other plants, had not got as far as England.
But why?
Why, I don't know.

But this I know: that when Madam How makes a new sort of plant or animal, she starts it in one single place, and leaves it to take care of itself and earn its own living--as she does you and me and every one--and spread from that place all round as far as it can go.

So St.Patrick's cabbage got into this south-west of Ireland, long, long ago; and was such a brave sturdy little plant, that it clambered up to the top of the highest mountains, and over all the rocks.

But when it got to the rich lowlands to the eastward, in county Cork, it found all the ground taken up already with other plants; and as they had enough to do to live themselves, they would not let St.Patrick's cabbage settle among them; and it had to be content with living here in the far-west--and, what was very sad, had no means of sending word to its brothers and sisters in the Pyrenees how it was getting on.
What do you mean?
Are you making fun of me?
Not the least.

I am only telling you a very strange story, which is literally true.