LIFE ON PLAINS 



545 



In the case of men it was shown on the plains of Russia 

 in the thirteenth century when the Tartars conquered the 

 region and threatened to overrun Europe. 



Another instance was that of the fatal invasion of Russia 

 by Napoleon. The Russians, unable to find a strategic 

 place to make a stand, retreated farther and farther into 

 the plain. The depletion of Napoleon's army, due to the 



A HERD OF BISON 



extent of territory which must be held in his rear, the dis- 

 tance from his base of supplies, and the rigor of the Russian 

 winter, forced him to begin that disastrous retreat, the fatal 

 results of which probably led to his final overthrow. 



Plains have always played an important part in history. 

 Here armies can march and countermarch with compara- 

 tive ease. Large bodies of men can easily be assembled. 

 Military stores can be readily collected and all the opera- 

 tions of war carried on without natural obstructions. Thus 



