FROM MIB.BEL. 279 



it wants for its existence ; the strong stifle the weak ; 

 while rising generations obliterate even the slightest 

 trace of destruction and death ; vegetation never flags ; 

 and the earth, so far from becoming exhausted, ac- 

 quires new fertility from day to day. Host* of animals 

 of every kind, insects, birds, quadrupeds, reptiles, 

 beings as diversified and^strange as the vegetables of the 

 place itself, retire themselves under the vast canopy 

 of these ancient thickets, as into a citadel proof against 

 the attack of man. 



North America, under the same degrees of latitude 

 as France and England, and with a colder climate, pre- 

 sents a far richer vegetation. There large trees, such 

 as the Liriodendron and Magnolia, bear the most su- 

 perb flowers. Those of many other trees and shrub? 

 vie in beauty with the flowers of the torrid zone ; the 

 light waving composite foliage of the Robinias and Gle- 

 ditschias are the counterparts of the Mimosas of the 

 tropics. The single genus of Oak comprehends within 

 the United States more species than Europe reckon* 

 within the whole amount of its trees. 



In the northern parts of Asia vegetation differs but 

 slightly from that of Europe. We meet with nearly 

 the same genera, and similar types prevail. But in 

 the southern parts the character of the country is 

 changed. Without water, and swept by scorching 

 winds, the drought is extreme. The carpet of soft ver- 

 dure and the refreshing shade of its northern countries 

 and of Europe are looked for in vain. Most of the 

 plants have thinly-scattered long narrow arid leaves, 

 entire at the edge, and of a gloomy green ; several have 

 none at all, or at least such, as instead of leaves may 

 be truly termed thorns, Yet many of the trees and 

 ehrubs have a showy blossom. Of the former, the 



