28 THE BEAUTIES OF NATURE chap. 



in vain, for the flowers that cause it are far 

 overhead out of sight, lost in the great over- 

 shadowing crown of verdure." 



" But," he adds, " the uniformity of climate 

 which has led to this rich luxuriance and end- 

 less variety of vegetation is also the cause of 

 a monotony that in time becomes oppressive." 

 To quote the words of Mr. Belt : " Unknown 

 are the autumn tints, the bright browns and 

 yellows of English woods ; much less the crim- 

 sons, purples, and yellows of Canada, where 

 the dying foliage rivals, nay, excels, the ex- 

 piring dolphin in splendour. Unknown the 

 cold sleep of winter ; unknown the lovely 

 awakening of vegetation at the first gentle 

 touch of spring. A ceaseless round of ever- 

 active life weaves the fairest scenery of the 

 tropics into one monotonous^ whole, of which 

 the component parts exhibit in detail untold 

 variety of beauty." 



Siberia is no doubt as a rule somewhat 

 severe and inhospitable, but M. Patrin men- 

 tions with enthusiasm how one day descend- 

 ing from the frozen summits of the Altai, he 

 came suddenly on a view of the plain of the 



