52 OUTLINE OF PLANT GEOGRAPHY 



The highest mountains of Britain scarcely exceed 4,000 feet, 

 and there is no true alpine vegetation; but on account of the 

 high latitude there are a few arctic and sub-arctic species which 

 are found in the higher mountains of Scotland. 



As a whole, the British flora can hardly be considered a rich 

 one. 



The Mediterranean Flora 



The Mediterranean region of Europe is very effectively pro- 

 tected on the north by the high mountain ranges, and has a 

 very different climate from central Europe. Very mild winters 

 are the rule, and most of the rainfall is during the cooler half 

 of the year, the summers being in many parts nearly or quite 



rainless. 



In the most protected districts, like the south of Spain, southern 

 Italy and Sicily, the climate is especially adapted to the growth 

 of oranges and lemons, and throughout most of the Mediter- 

 ranean littoral, the olive, fig, and vine flourish. 



As might be expected, exotics from many lands of similar 

 climate are at home about the Mediterranean. Palms from 

 Egypt, California and China; Cacti and century plants from 

 Arizona and Mexico; Eucalyptus and Acacias from Australia; 

 pepper-trees and Bougainvillea from South America; Gerani- 

 ums, Callas, Gladioli, Aloes, Mesembryanthemums, other showy 

 flowers from South Africa, mingle with the native oaks and 

 pines, and the roses, carnations and other familiar flowers in 

 the gardens. 



Drude ! includes in the Mediterranean province, the islands 

 off the west coast of Africa, i. e., Azores, Madeira and the Cana- 

 ries, and all of Asia Minor as far as Persia and Mesopotamia. 



The regions most familiar to travellers are those immediately 

 bordering on the Mediterranean. The European shores are 

 mostly mountainous, and the bold coastal scenery of the French 

 and Italian Riviera, southern Italy, Sicily, Dalmatia and Greece 

 includes many world famous views. 



At the lower elevations the vegetation is largely evergreen. 

 Among the commonest trees are the evergreen or Ilex oak (Quercus 

 Ilex), the stone-pine (Pinus Pined) and the similar P. pinaster; 



1 hoc cit., p. 388. 



