44 Meyen on the Distribution of Vegetation on the 



even to the most special cases. Even the pahns which reach this 

 zone have the same forms. 



But we find also the same features in the northern hemisphere, 

 when we compare the vegetation of the different regions of the 

 mountain flora with that of the corresponding zones. The phy- 

 siognomy of the vegetation remains the same, and only particu- 

 lar genera and famihes exhibit the peculiarity of ascending to 

 the highest regions of the mountains in the south, and yet being 

 altogether awanting in the corresponding zones towards the north. 

 A particular comparison of the alpine flora of the Himalayah, 

 (as we find it given in the excellent works we now possess on the 

 subject,) with the vegetation of the corresponding northern zones, 

 has convinced me that there is almost no difference either in the 

 physiognomy of the vegetation, or in a statistical point of view. 

 There are, it is true, many species peculiar to these mountains ; 

 but the genera are nearly all the same, and the species have ex- 

 tremely similar and completely corresponding forms in northern 

 Europe. This similarity, in fact, goes very far ; at a height of 

 from 11,000 to 12,600 feet, there prevails on the Himalayah a 

 flora which is entirely similar to that of the Scandinavian penin- 

 sula ; and at a height of from 7000 to 8000 feet our forest trees 

 predominate, Avhich, though differing in species, have neverthe- 

 less the same physiognomy as in Germany. Nay, this similarity 

 to the European flora proceeds still further. The valley of 

 Cashmere, placed at the boundary of the subtropical zone, pre- 

 sents an oval plaiu, which is situated at a height of from 5200 

 to 5500 feet above the level of the sea, and is surrounded by 

 lofty mountains. It is abundantly watered, being traversed by 

 lakes, streams, and canals; and presents a luxuriant vegetation, 

 which is rich in evergreens. Rice and melons, it is true, arc 

 cultivated during summer in Cashmere, but the flora exhibits 

 quite the same species that occur in Germany. The cultivation 

 of walnut-trees is carried on to a great extent, and poplars and 

 fruit-trees flourish extremely well. The vine there twines itself 

 round the poplars, and the grape is employed for making wine 

 and raisins; and our waicv-uui ( Trihulns ) corresponds to another 

 similar species in the lakes of Cashmere, whose fruit is well known 

 as a common article of food of the inhabitants of the plateau. 



But it is entirely different with the vegetation of the south- 

 ern hemisphere of our planet. It is a striking and inexplicable 



