THE DISTRIBUTION OF ANIMALS 443 



the east coast, west coast, and the open plains between, 

 are very different. 



Animals dwelling at high elevations resemble those 

 of colder latitudes. The same species of insects are 

 found on Mount Washington, and in Labrador and 

 Greenland. 



The range does not depend upon the powers, of loco- 

 motion. The oyster extends from Halifax to Charles- 

 ton, and the snapping turtle from Canada to the 

 equator; while many quadrupeds and birds have nar- 

 row habitats. 



The distribution of any group is qualified by the 

 nature of the food. Carnivores have a wider range 

 than herbivores. 



Life diminishes as we depart from the equator north 

 or south, and likewise as we descend or ascend from 

 the level of the sea. 



The zones of geography have been divided by zoolo- 

 gists into narrower provinces. Three regions in the 

 sea are recognized : the Pelagic or surface region ; the 

 Littoral, between tide marks strictly but often inter- 

 preted to conclude depths to forty fathoms ; and the 

 Abyssal, extending from the Littoral to the greatest 

 depths of the ocean. Every marine species has its own 

 limits of depth. It would be quite as difficult, said 

 Agassiz, for a fish or a mollusk to cross from the coast 

 of Europe to the coast of America as for a reindeer to 

 pass from the arctic to the antarctic regions across the 

 torrid zone. Marine animals congregate mainly along 

 the coasts of continents and on soundings. The meet- 

 ing place of two maritime currents of different tem- 

 peratures, as on the Banks of Newfoundland, favors 

 the development of a great diversity of fishes. 



Every great province of the ocean contains some 

 representatives of all the subkingdoms. Deep-sea life 



