STEPPES AND DESEKTS. 9 



American land in the northern part of the torrid zone, where 

 consequently the atmosphere, resting on a liquid base, does 

 not present so heated an ascending current ; the extension 

 of the continent towards the poles ; the expanse of ocean 

 over which the trade-winds sweep freely, acquiring thereby 

 a cooler temperature ; the flatness of the eastern coasts ; 

 currents of cold sea- water from the antarctic regions, which, 

 coming from the south-west to the north-east, first strike 

 the coast of Chili in the parallel of 35 south latitude, and 

 advance along the coast of Peru as far north as Cape Pariiia, 

 and then turn suddenly to the west ; the numerous lofty 

 mountain chains rich in springs, and whose snow-clad sum- 

 mits, rising high above all the strata of clouds, cause 

 descending currents of cold air to roll down their declivities ; 

 the abundance of rivers of enormous breadth, which, after 

 many windings, seek the most distant coast ; Steppes which 

 from not being sandy are less susceptible of acquiring a high 

 degree of heat, impenetrable forests occupying the alluvial 

 plains situated immediately beneath the equator, protecting 

 with their shade the soil beneath from the direct influence 

 of the sunbeams, and exhaling in the interior of the country 

 at a great distance from the mountains and from the ocean 

 vast quantities of moisture, partly imbibed and partly 

 elaborated : all these circumstances afford to the flat part 

 of America a climate which by its humidity and coolness 

 contrasts wonderfully with that of Africa. It is to the same 

 causes that we are to attribute the luxuriant vegetation, the 

 magnificent forests, and that abundant leafiness by which 

 the new continent is peculiarly characterised. 



