1159 



VEGETABLE KINGDOM. 



VEGETABLE KINGDOM. 



1190 



(surface of the globe. In the following remarks we have followed that 

 of Professor Schouw, in his ' Notes for a Course of Lectures on the 

 Distribution of Plants.' 



1. Regiou of Saxifrages and Mosses, or the Alpine Arctic Flora: 

 temperature 175 to 41 Fahr. This corresponds with the hyper- 

 borean region of De Candolle and other writers, and comprehends all 

 countries within the polar circle, namely, Lapland, the north of Russia 

 and Siberia, Kamtchatka, Labrador, Greenland, and Iceland, and also 

 part of the Scottish and .Scandinavian mountains, as well as the moun- 

 tains of the southern and central parts of Europe, which have 

 sufficient elevation to possess an alpine vegetation. This region is 

 characterised by the abundance of mosses and lichens, and of the 

 families Saxifragacece, Gentianacece, Aliinacece, Salicacece, and Cype- 

 racece. There is an entire absence of tropical families, and only a few 

 plants of the temperate zone. The beech and fir occur in forests, or 

 there is a destitution of trees. Annuals are also scarce, and the 

 blossoms of the flower are larger in proportion to the root of the 

 plant, and of a pure colour. 



1'. Region of the Umbdlifera! and Cruciferce : temperature 27'5 to 

 5675. This comprehends the whole of Europe, except those districts 

 which belong to the preceding region, from the Pyrenees, the moun- 

 tains of the south of France, of Switzerland, and the north of Greece, 

 to the greater part of Siberia, and the country about Mount Caucasus. 

 This region is particularly distinguished from that of the same parallel 

 in North America by the presence of cruciferous and umbelliferous 

 plants. It is not easily distinguished from the next region, but the 

 Fungi abound more, and it approaches the last region in the abund- 

 ance of Cyperacece. Nearly all its trees are deciduous, and its meadows 

 are exceedingly flourishing. There is a division of the Compoaitce ; the 

 plants belonging to the Cichoraceous division of that order being 

 found in the northern districts, whilst those belonging to the Cynaro- 

 cephalous are found in the south of it. The predominating trees are 

 the Scotch Fir, the Alder, the Beech, the Birch, the Poplar, the Elm, 

 and Lime. The shrubs are the Heaths, the Sloe, &c. The principal 

 cultivated plants are the Wheat, Barley, Oats, Maize, Potatoes, &c. ; 

 Apple, Pear, Gooseberry, Curraut, Vine, Strawberry, Cucumber, Melon, 

 the Cabbage, Turnip, Peas, Beans, and other forms of Leguminosce ; 

 Carrots, Hops, Hemp, Flax, Ac. 



3. The Region of Labiatce and Caryopliyllaceie, or the Mediterranean 

 kingdom : temperature 54'5 to 72'5. This includes the region of the 

 Mediterranean Sea, limited on the north by the Pyrenees, the Alps, 

 the Balkan, the Caucasus ; on the south by the Atlas and the deserts 

 of North Africa ; on the east by Taurus. It contains more or less 

 of the orders belonging to the last region ; but Labiatce, Caryophyl- 

 laceas, Bvrayinacece, C'istacece, and LiliacecK abound. A few tropical 

 plants now and then appear amongst them, belonging to the orders 

 Palmaceee, Terebintacea, and Lawacece. Solanacece and Leguminosa; 

 are more abundant than in the last, evergreens increase, and the 

 vegetation never entirely ceases ; but verdant meadows are more rare 

 than in the last Madeira, Azores, and the Canary Islands, belong 

 to this region, and their Flora approaches to that of tropical Africa. 

 The cultivated plants are similar to the last, to which are added the 

 Olive, Orange, Lemon, Mulberry, Fig, Rice, &c. 



4. The Region of Aterace<K&n& Solidaginacea, or North North-Ame- 

 rican kingdom : temperature 9'5 to 59. It embraces North America 

 from the southern limits of the first kingdom to 36 N. lat. There 

 are a greater number of Cent/era than in the second kingdom, and 

 there are but few Umbdlifera-, Cruciferai, Cichorace<e, and Cynaroce- 

 pkalaceir. There is but little cultivation : where there is any it 

 resembles that of the second kingdom. Whortleberries, Oaks, Firs, 

 Michaelmas Daisies, and Golden Kods are its great characteristics. 



5. The Region of Magnoliacea, or Southern North-American king- 

 dom, between 36 and 30 N. lat. : temperature 59 to 72'5. There 

 is here an approximation to tropical vegetation, as seen iu the frequent 

 appearance of the genera Canna, Chamceropt, Yucca, Zamia, Laurus, 

 Biynonia, Pauijtora, Castia, Sapindui, *c. There are comparatively 

 few plants that are characteristic of the two preceding kingdoms. The 

 Magnolias predominate, and are accompanied with other genera bearing 

 broad shining leaves and large flowers. The cultivated plants are those 

 of the third region, with the exception of the Olive : Rice is more 

 abundant, and in the southern districts the Sugar-Cane is grown. 



6. The Region of Camellias, and Celcatrucete, or Chino-Japanese 

 kingdom. It embraces Japan and Northern China from 30 to 40" 

 N. lat. : temperature 54*5 to 68. Too little is known of this region 

 to enable us to state positively what are its characteristics. Its vegeta- 

 tion is more tropical than European. With Zamas, Ginger, Banauas, 

 and Custard- Apples, are found Buckthorns and Honeysuckles, thus 

 giving this region a mixed character. Its cultivated plants, in addition 

 to thoiw of the previous regions, are the C'ycas for Sago, the Tea-Plant, 

 the Caladium, Ac. 



7. The Region of Zinffiberacea, or Indian kingdom : temperature 

 65-75 to 81-6. This includes the Indian peninsulas east and west of 

 the Oange, together with the islands between India and Australia. 

 Tropical orders are numerous in this region, as Palmacea, Aracete, 



biacea:, Jlignoniacea;, JliUlneriacea, Ac. Very few plants belong- 

 ing to Cyperacca, Cmiftrac, Labiata, Hoiacew, Ranunculace"; or Oruci- 

 ferce are seen. The trees never lose their leaves, and produce large 

 magnificent flowers, and are covered frequently with climbing and 



parasitical plants). Ginger, Zedoary, Cardamom, Arrowroot, Catechu, 

 Cassia, Cinnamon, Caoutchouc, Tamarinds, Sago, Rice, Cocoa-Nut, 

 Coffee, Cubebs, Cloves, Pepper, Oranges, and Gamboge, are the culti- 

 vated and natural productions of this prolific region. 



8. The Region of the Himalaya: temperature 36'5 to 6575. It 

 includes the highlands of India, or the mountain terraces lying on the 

 south of the Himalayan range, Kumaon, Nepaul, Bootan, having an 

 elevation of from 4000 to 10,000 feet. The tropical forms of the last 

 kingdom decrease manifestly here, such as Scitaniaccai, Palmaccce, Cyca- 

 dacece, &c. European forms are not unfrequent, as Cyperacete, Amen- 

 tacece, Conifene, Primulacece, Rosacece, Cruciferce, Ac. The Ferns and 

 Orchidacecx are abundant. The cultivated plants are the corn and 

 fruit of Europe, varying with more tropical productions according to 

 elevation. 



9. The Region of Polynesia includes the islands between Hindustan 

 and Australia, and has a temperature from 6575 to 8375. This 

 region is similar to the Indian kingdom, and is sometimes included 

 in it. The cultivated plants, in addition to those of the Indian king- 

 dom, are the Bread-Fruit-Tree, the Nutmeg, the Camphor-Tree, and 

 the Cotton-Tree. 



10. The Region of Java is little known, and has a vegetation probably 

 similar to the Himalayan region. 



11. The Oceanic Region, or South Sea Island kingdom, includes all 

 the islands of the South Sea within the tropics, and has a tempera- 

 ture of 72'5 to 81 '5. The flora of these islands is poor, and approxi- 

 mates more closely to that of Asia than to that of Africa, and has 

 some relation to that of Australia. The bread-fruit is the most 

 characteristic production of these islands, but is not confined to them. 



12. The Region of Balsomodendra, or the Arabian kingdom, includes 

 the south-westerly mountainous part of the Arabian peninsula. Tho 

 temperature cannot be stated, but the character of its vegetation is 

 generally tropical, assuming the forms of that of India. The culti- 

 vated plants are also principally those of India. 



13. The Desert Region includes North Africa south of the Atlas, 

 and the Mediterranean Sea between 15 and 30 N. lat., and the 

 northern part of Arabia. The mean temperature is 72'5 to 86. It 

 has necessarily a very poor flora, having but few even characteristic 

 genera. It is only cultivated iu the oases, where the Phcp.nix dacty- 

 lifera, the Sorghum vulynre, with Wheat and Barley, and some of the 

 fruits of Europe and India, constitute the prominent plants. 



14. The Region of tropical Africa includes Africa from 15 N. lat. 

 to the tropic of Capricorn. Temperature 72'5 to 86. This flora 

 is neither rich nor rare ; it abounds iu Leguminosa', Rubiaceie, and 

 Cypcraceas. The Adansonia is a characteristic genus. 



15. The Region of Cacti and Piperacece includes Mexico and South 

 America to the Amazon River, and to a height of 5000 feet above the 

 level of the sea. Temperature 68 to 8375. The orders which 

 characterise this region are Bromeliacecs, Piperacece, Passifloracccc, 

 and Cactacea?. The orders which are mostly tropical are here less 

 numerous, whilst extra-tropical orders are more abundant. The most 

 abundant genera are Pkytelephas, Kunthia, Tlioninia, Thcolroma, 

 Guazuma, &c. The cultivated plants of this district are the Maize 

 Sorghum vulgare, Dioscorca alata, Convolvulus Batatas ; also the Plan- 

 tain, Cocoa-Nut, Pine-Apple, Tamarind, Cacao, Vanilla, Coffee, Sugar, 

 Tobacco, Cotton, &c. 



16. The Region of the Mexican Highlands includes the mountains 

 of Mexico above 5000 feet elevation. Temperature from 6575 to 

 79 '25. In this district the more tropical forms of vegetation, as the 

 Tree-Ferns, the Palms, Passion-Flowers, Euphorbiums, and Pepper, 

 decrease, or altogether disappear. The extra tropical forms are moro 

 numerous, as the Willow, Oak, Fir, Cypress, Sage, Horehound, 

 Whortleberry, Heath, and various forms of Umbelliferce, Rosacece, 

 Caryophyllacece, Cruciferce, and Ranunculacez. The cultivated plants 

 are the Maize, the European Cerealia, and fruits. In the highest 

 mountain-ranges the vegetation has an alpine aspect. 



17. The Region of Cinchonacece. This embraces the Andes from 

 5000 to 9000 feet in elevation, and between 20 S. lat., and 5 N. lat., 

 having a temperature from 59 to 68. The extra-tropical forms 

 become very frequent in this region, and only a few tropical forms 

 remain. Some of the most common genera are the Cinchona, Gay- 

 Liissacia, Loasa, Lilcea, Cervantesia, Ac. The cultivated plants are 

 very seldom tropical. Maize and coffee are sometimes grown, with 

 European Cerealia, and fruits, Potatoes, and Chenopodium Quinoa. 



18. The Region of Escallonias and Calceolarias includes the Andes 

 at more than 9000 feet above the level of the sea, between 20 S. lat. 

 and 5 N. lat. Temperature 34-25 to 69. Tropical plants almost 

 entirely disappear in this region, only now and then a straggler 

 appearing ; whilst the forms which distinguish the colder and polar 

 regions become frequent, such as the Lichens, Mosses, Sorrels, Plan- 

 tagos, Gentians, Currant, Brambles, Ac. The most prevalent orders 

 are the Grasses, Heaths, and Synantlieracece. There are no large trees, 

 and a great many shrubs. 



19. The West Indian Region, including the West India Islands, 

 with a temperature of 59 to 79'25. The vegetation of these islands 

 bears the same relation to the continent which that of the Polynesian 

 islands does to Chiua. It is chiefly distinguished by the greater 

 quantity of Ferns and Orchidaccce. The cultivated plants are the 

 same as those of Mexico. 



