THE ARCTIC LANDS. 



23 



tinnous belt, stretcliinGj thronscli three parts of the Avorkl, in a breadth of from 

 15° to 20°, even the woods of the Amazon, which cover a surface fifteen times 

 greater tlian that of the United Kingdom, shrnik into comparative insigniti- 

 cance. Unlike the tropical forests, wliich are characterized by an immense 

 variety of trees, these northern woods are almost entirely composed of conif- 

 eraj, and one single kind of fir or pine often covers an immense extent of 



