128 ETON NATURE-STUDY 



from actual experience to the consideration of ever- widening areas 

 of the earth's surface." He continues : 



" The vegetation is an important element in the aspect of the home 

 district. It gives the landscape its characteristic colour and its 

 varying seasonal aspect. It is indicative of the climatic and soil 

 conditions, and determines the leading productions and occupations. 



Photograph by Francis J. Lewix. 

 FIGURE 234. Succession of Moorland Vegetation on Redbourne Edge, Weardale. 



The cotton-grass bog on the summit plateau changes to heather moor as the drier "edge" is 

 reached, and the mat-grass heath (seen as light bands) which covers the steep slope of peat 

 gives way to grass heath with cotton-grass below. 



Thus it becomes one of the most important terms of comparison 

 between one country and another." 



It is possible to make a landscape in Britain serve as an example 

 from which to picture the aspect of much of Europe, and the very 



