REPORT ON FORESTS. 201 



former now exists largely under barren-soil conditions towards 

 the south, or under severe climatic conditions in the far north, 

 not apparently by reason of these conditions being directly 

 favorable for them, but, at least in part, for the reason that they 

 are unfavorable for the angiosperms, which have crowded them 

 out from the most desirable locations. The conclusion, therefore, 

 seems to be inevitable that the flora of the coniferous zone is 

 destined to be ultimately obliterated, or only to exist over limited 

 areas, often for the negative reason that in such areas the condi- 

 tions may not be favorable for other types of vegetation. The 

 influence of man may produce temporary changes and give tem- 

 porary advantage from time to time, but such changes are 

 entirely artificial and cannot prevail in the long run over the 

 constant and inevitable progress of physical and organic evolu- 

 tion. 



