THE NORTH TEMPERATE ZONE 



65 



spring, when the numerous annuals flower in great profusion, 

 making brilliant masses of color, like the poppies and lupins of the 

 California spring. Some of these, like the scarlet flax, and the 

 Morocco toad-flax (Linum Maroccanum), Convolvulus mauretani- 

 cus and others are sometimes seen in our gardens. 



The coastal regions of Algeria are very fertile, and large areas 

 are devoted to the raising of wheat, barley and oats, as well as the 







Fig. 13. — Stony desert, northern Sahara, Algeria. Photo., Dr. W. A. Cannon. 



usual vegetables, and fruits of the south of Europe. In the hotter 

 districts, dates are extensively grown, and the vine and olive are 

 important crops. As in southern Spain, the cork oak is of great 

 importance. 



The Atlantic Islands 



The isolated island groups lying off the northwest African coast, 

 Azores, Madeira and the Canaries, are characterized by a high 

 degree of endemism, and the flora shows a mingling of Mediter- 

 ranean and African types. 



