THE 



GEOGKAPHY OF PLANTS. 



CHAPTER I. 



Introduction General view of the numbers and distribution 

 of plants Botanical districts Centres of creation In- 

 fluence of soil and situation Marine plants Sargassum 

 Red Sea Minute algas Fresh-water plants Lotus Val- 

 lisneria Spring and fountain plants Oases Maritime 

 plants Barilla Mangrove Steppes Sand plants Chalk 

 plants Bog plants Mountain plants Cultivated ground 

 plants Field and wood plants Parasites and epiphytes 

 Orchis tribe. 



AMIDST all the varied forms of beauty, and the 

 marvellous displays of wisdom, with which a 

 bountiful Creator has adorned our earth, the 

 vast vegetable kingdom holds a prominent 

 place. And surely none can survey the amaz- 

 ing variety and loveliness of the plants and 

 trees which clothe this earth, and reflect on 

 their immense importance, as furnishing food, 

 clothing, medicine, and luxuries to man, and 

 not be led at once to the acknowledgment that 

 " the hand of the Lord hath wrought this." It 

 is, however, but too true, that many attempt 



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