278 



FAN-PALMS. 



otherwise uninhabitable plains should perish from 

 thirst. 



THE FAN-PALM. 



The climate of the Llanos is far more temperate 

 than that of any other country under the same lati- 

 tude. Such, also, is generally the case throughout 

 equinoctial America. Many causes unite in pro- 

 ducing this effect. The continent of America be- 

 comes narrow towards ^the north ; it is deeply 

 indented with seas and bays, and presents, compara- 

 tively, a small surface of dry land to the action of the 



