BOTANICAL EEGIONS. 691 



On the sea-coasts: Cocos schizophylla, Diplothemium maritimum, 

 Eriocaulon, sp., Xyris, sp., Avicennia tomentosa, Rhizophora Mangle, 

 Conocarpus erectus, racemosa, Bucida Buceras. 



Cultivated plants, about as in 15. 



(The most detailed works on the flora of this region are the splendid 

 works of Von Martins, continued by Eichler and other botanists.) 



21. Region of shrubby Composites (Extratropical S.- American, or 

 St.-HilairJs Region}. 



Mean temperature, 59-74 Fahr. (15-23 0.). 



Character. The tropical forma decrease or vanish ; extratropical, espe- 

 cially European, forms take their place. Ranunculaceae, Cruciferae, Heli- 

 anthemum, Caryophyllacese, Lathyrus, Galiurn, Teucrium, Plantago, 

 Carex; a few South- African forms, Polygala, Oxalis, Gnaphalium. This 

 region has more than half its genera in common with Europe. Numerous 

 Compositae ; many among these shrubby. 



Genera. Larrea, Hortia, Diposis, Boopis, Acicarpha, Cortesia, Petunia, 

 Jaborosa, Tricycla, Caperonia, Bipennula. The vegetation of the Pampas 

 here takes its character from the long periods of drought, no rainy seasons 

 occurring, and only occasional thunder-storms. Arborescent vegetation is 

 scanty or entirely absent. Spiny shrubs and salt plants are found in the 

 interior. Onopordon Acanthium has in some districts overrun the whole 

 country, displacing the few native plants. 



Cultivated plants. Mostly the European : Wheat, Vine. The Peach is 

 very widely spread. 



22. The Antarctic Region (D'Urvilles Region). 

 Mean temperature, 41-48 Fahr. (5-9 C.). 



diameter. Climate of northern portion mild, equable, damp. Great 

 resemblance to the North-European flora (Region 2). The tropical forms 

 have entirely vanished. Forests prevail in tne south ; Fagus antarctica 

 and an evergreen species are abundant. In the extreme south Saxifrages, 

 Ranunculi, &c. prevail. 



Predominant Orders. Composite, Graminaceae, Caricese, Musci, Li- 

 chenes. The following are also common; Ranunculaceae, Cruciferae, 

 Caryophyllaceee, Rosaceae, Umbelliferse. Two thirds of the genera in 

 common with Europe. A slight approximation to South Africa (Gla- 

 diolus, Witsena, Galaxia, Crassula) and to Australia (Embothrium, 

 Ourisia, Stylidiae, Mniarum). 



Characteristic genera. Gaimardia, Astelia, Callixene, Philesia, Dra- 

 petes, Bsea, Calceolaria, Pernettya, Oligosporus, Nassavia, Bolax, Azorella, 

 Donatia, Acaena, Hamadryas. 



Predominant trees and shrubs. Fagus antarctica, Salix magellanica, 

 Embothrium coccineum, Pernettya empetrifolia, P. mucronata, Andro- 

 meda myrsinites, Baccharis tridentata, Chiliotrichum amelloides, Ribes 

 raagellanicum, Escallonia serrata, Fuchsia coccinea, Myrtus numnaularia, 

 Berberis ilicifolia, B. inermis, B. microphylla, B. enipetrifolia, Drimys 

 Winteii. No cultivation. (Hooker's ' Flora Antarctica ' is the best flora 

 of this region.) 



