Chap. VII] COLD TEMPERATE FOREST FORMATIONS 579 



suppresses the ivy and the wild vine. Out of this chaos of interwoven climbers, 

 oaks and elms stretch their gnarled limbs, the foliage and lateral branching of which 

 are but poor near the sea, for the strong sea gales dash against the lofty trees. So 

 much the handsomer and fuller appear the crowns of the lofty stems that stand 

 more inland. . . . Even on them Smilax has often woven regular nets, which not 

 infrequently attain a height of 50-60 feet. . . .' 



Fig. 321. Vegetation near Battim. Ficus carica. From a photograph by Krasnov. 



iii. THE FORESTS OF SIBERIA AND EASTERN ASIA. 



The climate of Siberia is quite similar to that of the northern forest belt 

 of North America, as regards both temperature and the very important 

 atmospheric precipitations. In both districts the rainfall is poor, especially 

 during winter, so that the trees are exposed to dry frosty weather, which 

 when of long duration is very prejudicial. To the analogy in the climates 



P p 2 



