28 THE BEAUTIES OF NATURE CHAP, 
in vain, for the flowers that cause it are far 
overhead out of sight, lost in the great over- 
shadowing crown of verdure.”’ 3 
“ But,” he adds, “ the uniformity of climate 
which has led to this rich luxuriance and end- 
less variety of vegetation is also the cause of 
a monotony that in time becomes oppressive.” 
To quote the words of Mr. Belt: “ Unknown 
are the autumn tints, the bright browns and 
yellows of English woods; much less the crim- 
sons, purples, and yellows of Canada, where 
the dying foliage rivals, nay, excels, the ex- 
piring dolphin in splendour. Unknown the 
cold sleep of winter; unknown the lovely 
awakening of vegetation at the first gentle 
touch of spring. A ceaseless round of ever- 
active life weaves the fairest scenery of the 
tropics into one monotonous whole, of which 
the component parts exhibit in detail untold 
variety of beauty.” 
Siberia is no doubt as a rule somewhat 
severe and inhospitable, but M. Patrin men- 
tions with enthusiasm how one day descend- 
ing from the frozen summits of the Altai, he 
came suddenly on a view of the plain of the 
! ~ y 
or 
