SCHOUW'S PHYTO-GEOGRAPHIC REGIONS. 579 



tween the northern and southern limits of .periodical rains, with the 

 exception of Abyssinia and the unknown countries of the interior. The 

 Flora of the western part of this region is characterized hi part by the 

 presence of Adansonia, or the Boabab, the largest known tree. We 

 also meet with the Elais guineensis, a palm which furnishes oil. Other 

 characteristic plants are Sarcocephalus escukntus and Schmiedelia afri- 

 cana. The vegetation of Guinea and Congo is a mixture of the Floras 

 of Asia and America, though most resembling the former. The 

 eastern part of the region, including Madagascar, has a peculiar Flora, 

 distinguished chiefly by the genera Danais, Ambora, Dombeya, Dufou- 

 rea, Didymomeles, and Senacea. Mean temperature, 72 to 86. 

 Cultivated plants: Maize, Rice, Guinea Corn and Millet, Yams, Cassava, 

 Banana, Mango, Papaw, Pine- Apple, Cashew, Tamarind, Coffee, Sugar, 

 Cotton, Ginger, Cardamoms, Earth-nut. 



15. The Eegion of Cactacece and Piperacece. This embraces Mexico, 

 New Grenada, Guiana, and Peru. These natural orders are here pre- 

 dominant, both as regards the number of species and the individual 

 plants. Murichi or Ita Palm, Phytelephas or Ivory Palm, and Victoria 

 regia, are peculiar to Guiana. Mean temperature, 68 to 84. Cul- 

 tivated plants: Maize, Guinea Corn, Cassava, Yams, Batatas, Arraca- 

 cha, Arrow-root, Plantain, Mango, Custard Apples, Guava, Coco-nut, 

 Papaw, Avocado Pear, Pine Apple, Cashew, Tamarind, Grenadilla, 

 Vine, Indian Fig, Jambos, Chocolate, Vanille, Coffee, Sugar, Capsicum, 

 Cochineal-Cactus, Cotton, Earth-nut. 



16. The Region of the Highlands of Mexico. This embraces the 

 districts which have an elevation of more than 5,500 feet above the 

 level of the sea. Many European plants are cultivated here, as well 

 as Maize. Finns religiosa and other Coniferce are found. Mean tem- 

 perature, 78 to 64. 



17. The Region of Cinchona, or Medicinal Barks. This comprises 

 a part of the elevated regions or Cordilleras of South America, included 

 in the torrid zone, the Andes from 5,500 to 9,000 feet. The Cinchona 

 belongs exclusively to this region, and forms its principal feature. In 

 the higher regions the Potato and Quinoa are cultivated, as well as 

 some European grams and fruits. In the lower districts, Maize and 

 Coffee are still cultivated. Mean temperature, 68 to 59. 



18. The Region of Escallonice and Calceolarias. It embraces the 

 highest parts of South America, or that portion of the chain of the 

 Andes, which has more than 9,600 feet of elevation. Besides the 

 plants mentioned, we meet with alpine plants, as Saxifrages and 

 Gentians, and species of Draba, Arenaria, Carex, Lobelia, and Salvia, 

 besides some European genera belonging to the orders Graminece and 

 Cichoracece, such as Eromus, Festuca, Poa, Apargift, and Hypocharis. 

 Mean temperature, 59 to 34. 



19. The West Indian Region. This includes the whole district of 



