TUNDRA 



9 



"broken now and then by veritable gardens of gorgeous 

 flowers which colonize the warm and well-drained 

 slopes exposed squarely to the rays of the low sun of 

 summer. The unusual brilliancy of colour in the 

 blossoms as well as the leaves and stems of the small 

 herbs in arctic and alpine regions is associated with the 

 presence in the plant-body of certain substances protec- 

 tive against exposure. 



FIG. 7. Siberian Tundra. 



The development of peat in the marshes of the Siberian 

 tundra, being dependent on the moisture of the air and 

 the length of the growing season, is not so important as 

 might be thought at first. Heather or ling plays' but 

 an inconspicuous part, and our common peat-moss is of 

 restricted occurrence. 



There is little resource for the human being in such 



