140 



CHAPTER VI. 

 THE SUB-TROPICAL ZONE. 



FROM LAT. 34 TO THE TEOPICS. 



THE perpetual verdure of vegetation throughout the year 

 gives an aspect to the countries in this zone which is en- 

 tirely new to us travellers from the North ; and in some 

 parts it possesses the peculiarity of what may be called a 

 double character : plants which are natives of the warmer 

 zones, and even some tropical fruits, luxuriating in the 

 summer heat ; whilst in winter are found many old Euro- 

 pean acquaintances our summer flowers, that is bloom- 

 ing there in winter. The inhabitants of this zone " rejoice 

 in the happiest climate," which even in winter is " so mild, 

 that man scarcely needs a substantial dwelling to shelter 

 him/' 



Of the southern part of the United States, of the Texas, 



