DISTRIBUTION IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE GLOBE. 675 



distributed in belts of greater or less . breadth, which are parallel to 

 the meridians, or to the parallels of latitude. A genus or family 

 predominates in certain regionsj and attains its maximum there, while 

 in others it is at its minimum. Hence, regions are distinguished by 

 the names of plants which attain their maximum there. Palmse, Mu- 

 sacese, Piperacese, and Scitaminese, attain their maximum in the torrid 

 isone, although representatives of them extend to high latitudes, or 

 to the temperate zone. Thus, the Palm called Chamasrops humilis is 

 found in 49° north latitude. The Ericaceae of the old world have their 

 maximum in the south of Africa. A single form, Oalluna vulgaris, 

 common Heather, is predominant in the north ; and a shrubby species. 

 Erica arborea, represents the order in the south of Europe. Acacias 

 attain their maximum in Australia, while Acacia heterophylla re- 

 presents the family in the Sandwich Islands. The Lauracese of the 

 tropics have Laurus nobUis as their representative in Europe. The 

 Myrtacese of the tropics are represented in Europe by Myrtus com- 

 munis. As regards species, Trientalis europ^a has a representative 

 form in America, T. americana ; Oornus suecica occurs in Europe, 0. 

 canadensis in Canada ; Empetrum nigrum, in Arctic regions, has E. 

 rubrum, to take its place in the Antarctic ; Pinguicula lusitanica, 

 in the Northern hemisphere, has P. antarctica, resembling it, in the 

 Southern ; Aucuba japonica of Japan is represented in the Himalaya 

 hj Aucuba Himalaica. 



4. — Distribution of Plants considered Physiognomicallt 

 AND Statistically. 



The distribution of plants over the globe may be considered either 

 Plvydognomically, as regards the prevalence of certain vegetable forms 

 which give a general character to the landscape of a country ; or Sta- 

 tistically, as regards the numerical proportion which different groups 

 bear to each other, or to the whole known plants. 



Physioonomy of Vegetation.; — Some families of plants, on 

 account of their form, aspect, and locality, particularly engage the 

 attention not only of the botanist, but of every observer of nature. 

 They are called Physiognomic plants. Their difference is connected 

 with various external circumstances of climate. In prosecuting this 

 ■department of botanical geography, we shall specify some of those 

 vegetable forms which give a character to the landscape. This 

 has been done more especially by Meyen, who gives the following 

 series : — 



1. Grraraineous or Grassy Form. This is illustrated in northern oountries by 

 meadows and pastures. The cereal grains also have a great influence on the aspect 

 ■of countries. Under this form are included Cyperaceas, EestiaceaB, and Juncadeas. 

 In the torrid zone some arborescent forms occur, as Bamboo ; and along with 



