582 MEYEN'S PHYTO-GEOGRAPHICAL ZONES. 



ferns, and plants belonging to Convolvulacese, Melastomaceae, and Pi- 

 peracese. 



B. TEMPERATE ZONE. 



3. Subtropical Zone. This extends from the tropics, 23, to 34 of 

 latitude. Mean temperature, 62^ to 71^; summer temperature, 

 73^ to 82-|. There is a number of tropical fruits in this region. 

 The winters are mild, and vegetation is green throughout the year. 

 In the northern division of the zone, Palms and Bananas grow on the 

 plains. The Date-palm, Doom-palm, Chamgerops Palmetto, many suc- 

 culent Mesembryaceae and Crassulaceae, arborescent Euphorbias, Ca- 

 mellia, Thea, Aucuba, and Magnolias, are met with. In the southern 

 division are Proteaceae, Myrtaceae, Epacridacese. Ericaceae, many Com- 

 positse, Diosmea9, Zamias, and Cactaceaa. 



4. The warmer Temperate Zone. It embraces the space between 

 34 and 45 of latitude, including the southern part of Europe, 

 Asia Minor, north of China, and Japan. Mean temperature, 53^ to 

 62^. Summer temperature in North America, 77; in Europe, 75^ 

 to 68; in Eastern Asia, 82^: Winter temperature in the New World, 

 44 to 32|; in Europe, 50 to 34|; in Eastern Asia, 26. Many 

 subtropical forms occur. Evergreen dicotyledonous trees and shrubs, 

 Cistuses, many species of Ericaceae, Lauraceae, and Myrtaceae, and the 

 Vine, are met with. In some parts of the zone, Solidagos and Asters, 

 Magnolias and Smilaceae, abound; while in others there are represen- 

 tatives of the Mimosa form, Myrtaceae, and Proteaceae. 



5. The colder Temperate Zone. This includes a belt from 45 to 

 58 latitude. Mean temperature, 43 to 53^. Minimum summer 

 temperature on the West Coast, 56; in the interior of the Continent, 

 68; Minimum winter temperature in the interior of Europe, 14. 

 England, the north of France, and Germany, supply the characteristics 

 of the vegetation of this zone. It embraces the region of Umbelh'feras, 

 and Cruciferae of Schouw. Meyen selects plants having a more marked 

 physiognomic effect, such as ordinary Dicotyledonous trees, along with 

 Abietineae, and heaths covered with Calluna vulgaris. 



6. The Subarctic Zone. This reaches from 58 latitude to the 

 arctic circle, 66. Mean temperature, 39 to 43. Summer tem- 

 perature in the New World, 66; in the Old World, 60f to 68: 

 Winter temperature of the former, 14; of the latter (Western Europe), 

 24|; of the interior of Russia, 14 to 10^. It is characterized by 

 Firs and Willows in the northern hemisphere. 



C. FRIGID ZONE. 



7. The Arctic Zone. This extends from the arctic circle, 66, to 

 72. Mean temperature, 2&| to 32, and towards the eastern and 

 continental portions, far below the freezing point. The Birch, and 

 some Coniferae, may be said to characterize this zone. 



