TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
CHAPTER I. 
INTRODUCTORY. 
PAGE 
Natural Advantages of the Territory of the Roman Empire—Physical 
Decay of that Territory—Causes of the Decay—Reaction of Man on 
Nature—-Observation of Nature—Uncertainty of Our Historical 
Knowledge of Ancient Climates—Uncertainty of Modern Meteoro- 
logy—Stability of Nature—Formation of Bogs—Natural Condi- 
tions Favorable to Geographical Change—Destructiveness of Man— 
Human and Brute Action Compared—Limits of Human Power— 
Importance of Physical Conservation and Restoration—Uncertainty 
as to Effects of Human Action......... Sereet=te BMcioorn ond code oe 1 
CHAPTER II. 
TRANSFER, MODIFICATION, AND EXTIRPATION OF VEGETABLE AND OF 
ANIMAL SPECIES, 
Modern Geography takes Account of Organic Life—Geographical Impor- 
tance of Plants—Origin of Domestic Vegetables—Transfer of Vege- 
table Life—Objects of Modern Commerce—Foreign Plants, how In- 
troduced—Vegetable Power of Accommodation—Agricultural Pro- 
ducts of the United States—Useful American Plants Grown in Eu- 
rope—Kxtirpation of Vegetables—Animal Life as a Geological and 
Geographical Agency—Origin and Transfer of Domestic Quadrupeds 
—Extirpation of Wild Quadrupeds—Large Marine Animals Relatively 
Unimportant in Geography—Introduction and Breeding of Fish— 
Destruction of Fish—Geographical Importance of Birds—Introduction 
of Birds—Destruction of Birds—Utility and Destruction of Reptiles 
—-Utility of Insects and Worms—Injury to the Forest by Insects—In- 
troduction of Insects—Destruction of Insects—Minute Organisms... 56 
