DICOTYLEDONES. 29 



which they are found in great abundance, in marshy 

 places. Their native country closes with that of the 

 Grasses : the most beautiful species, however, (for in- 

 stance, the Cyperus,) are peculiar to warm countries. 



OF THE DICOTYLEDONES. 



The Dicotyledones consist of herbs, shrubs, under- 

 shrubs, and trees. In the vicinity of the snow-line, 

 nothing but herbaceous plants are found ; to which 

 succeed shrubs and dwarf trees. Their number and 

 size increase in the Temperate Zone. In the warmer 

 climates they form impenetrable forests. " Trees," 

 says Humboldt, " twice the^ size of our Oaks, are 

 adorned with blossoms as large and magnificent as 

 the Lilies of the Temperate Zone." 



It was impossible, in the construction of the Pic- 

 ture, to represent all the Orders of Dicotyledones : 

 those only have been selected which are able to 

 throw some light on their extension. 



1. Of all Dicotyledones, Species of the Saxifrage 

 (Saxifragefe) occur more frequently, and in greater 

 number on the snow-line : for instance, in Lapland, 

 according to Wahlenberg, Saxifraga stellaris, rivu- 

 laris, and oppositifolia. In Tyrol, from observation 

 made by Count Sternberg, Saxifraga burseriana, 

 and bryo'ides. In Switzerland, Saxifraga aspera and 



