GEOGRAPHICAL SITUATION OP PLANTS. 2i;j 



ture, some will grow only in mild and temperate climates, and oth- 

 ers only in the midst of frost and snows. 



Thus every country where man is to be found, has its vegetation. 

 Some species, with respect to localities, are confined to narrow limits. 



A species of Origanum (the Touvnefortii) was discovered by Tour- 

 nefort, in 1700, upon one single rock in the little island of Amorgos, 

 in the Greek Archipelago ; eighty years afterward, the plant was 

 found in the same island, and upon the same rock, and has never 

 been discovered in any other situation. Some plants confine them- 

 selves within certain longitudes, scarcely varying to the right or 

 left. The Me^ziesi a pall if olia^ a species of heath, confined between 

 ten and fifteen degrees of west longitude, is found in Portugal, Spain, 

 and Ireland. Latitude and elevation, by reason of mountains and 

 table lands, produce a greater variety in the appearance of vegeta- 

 tion than almost any other causes. 



Few plants are found to endure extreme cold. Botanists former- 

 ly estimated, that at Spitsbergen, in north latitude about 80", there 

 were but about 30 species of plants,* in Lapland, inVO", 539 species; 

 at Madagascar, at the tropic of Capricorn, 5000 ; and at the equator 

 a much greater number. These estimates fall very far short of the 

 number of species now known, but they may give some idea of the 

 difference in the vegetation of cold and warm climates. 



Geographical situation of Plants. 



Every country exhibits a botanical character peculiar to itself. 

 Linnceus, in his bold and graphic language, said,t " A practical bo- 

 tanist can usually at the first glance distinguish the plants of Africa, 

 Asia, America, and the Alps ; but it is not easy to tell how he is able 

 to do this. There is a certain character of sullenness, gloom, and ob- 

 scurity in the plants of Africa ; something lofty and elevated in those 

 of Asia, sweet and smiling in those of America; while those of the 

 Alps seem rigid and stinted." 



In investigating the geographical situation of the vegetable king- 

 dom, we see the powerful effects of light and heat. Feeble in the po- 

 lar regions, vegetation acquires strength as we approach towards 

 the equator, where the light of the sun is vivid, and its heat perma- 

 nent and intense. 



The centre of the frigid zone is entirely destitute of vegetation. 

 After passing the arctic circle, we find on the borders of the temper- 

 ate zone a few species of plants, chiefly lichens, mosses, and ferns, 

 also a few shrubs and berries. In the heat of a polar summer, the 

 growth of plants is rapid ; Lapland is the only country within this 

 zone where any kind of grain can be raised. 



The productions of the temperate zone gradually alter in character 

 as w^e approach the tropics. Humboldt has divided the temperate, 

 zone, with respect to productions, into three regions; the cold., the 

 temperate, and warm regions. In the cold region, grain may be 

 raised to advantage, and berries grow in abundance. In the tem- 

 perate region, the wine, grape, grain, and fruits of many kinds, are 

 cultivated in their greatest perfection. The warm region produces 

 olives, figs, oranges, and lemons. 



* That is, exclusive of the Cryptoganious plants. 



t " Priino intuitu disiinguit scepius exercitatus boianicus plantas Africte, Asice, Amer 

 ica, Alpiumque, sed non facile dicerit ipse ex qua nota. Nescis quae facies torya, sic 

 ca, obscuris Afris ; quae superba, exaltata Asiaticis ; quae laeta, glabra Aniencanis; 

 quae coarctala, indura Alpinis." • 



Some plants have a confined locality— Few endure extreme cold— Every country 

 has its own botanical character— Plants of the frigid zone— Temperate zone. 



