82 



THE WORLD OF LIFE 



CHAP. IV 



while the more nearly vertical sun and much greater rain- 

 fall would probably lead to a more luxuriant development 

 of species than in higher latitudes, or less elevated stations. 

 Darwin points out that the production of short velvety 

 flower-decked turf depends entirely on its being regularly 

 cropped down by ruminants, preventing the more delicate 

 plants from being smothered by the coarser. Now, this 

 group of animals is one of the latest developments of the 

 world of life ; and we thus learn that these delightful 

 expanses of flower-enamelled turf are actually produced by 

 the sheep or goats, the deer or antelopes whose presence 

 gives them a further charm, and which were themselves 

 developed just at the period when man appeared upon the 

 earth, gifted with faculties which enables him alone to fully 

 appreciate their beauty, and to utilise many of them as aids 

 to his own civilisation. 



