676 PHYSIOGNOMY OF VEGETATION. 



these are associated Sugar-cane and Rice. Barley is an extra-tropical form, -while 

 Carex extends to cold regions. 



2. Scitamineous Form. This includes the Ginger, Arrow-root, and Plantain 

 families, some of which attain a large size. They contribute to give a character to 

 the torrid zone. 



3. Pandanus or Screw-pine Form. A ti-opical fonn illustrated by Sorew-pineS' 

 and Dracaenas. 



4. Pine-apple Form. Illustrated by the Bromeliaceic of warm climates. 



5. The Agave or American Aloe Form. Chiefly tropical and sub-tropical. 



' 6. The Palm Form. Under this are included also the Cycadaceous family. 

 They give a, character to the hotter regions of the globe. Some of the Palms 

 are social, as the Date and Coco-nut. Chamserops humilis represents this form in 

 Europe. 



7. Filical or Fern Form. True Ferns, in an especial manner, affect the land- 

 scape in tropical and warm regions. 



8. Mimosa Form. This includes Leguminous plants in general. The finely- 

 cut foliage of some has a resemblance to Ferns. Modifications of this form occur 

 both in warm and cold regions. Acacias in Australia give a peculiar feature 

 to the landscape. 



9. Coniferous Form. The Abietinea; are characteristic of northern regions,, 

 and the Cupressinete of southern. 



10. The Protea, Epacris, and Erica Forms. These forms supply the place of 

 Coniferse in the southern hemisphere. The Protea and Epacris forms occurring in 

 Australia, and the Erica form at the Cape of Good Hope. 



11. Myrtle Form. Some of these, such as Melaleuca and Eucalyptus, charac- 

 terise Australian scenei-y ; others, as Guavas, are troijical. 



12. Forms of Dicotyledonous trees. Some with broad and thin leaves, as 

 Birch, Alder, Poplar, Oak, Lime, Elm, Beech, and Horse-chestnut, giving a 

 character to the physiognomy of the colder half of temperate climates ; while- 

 others, with thick, leathery, and showy leaves, as Olives and Laurels, are charac- 

 teristic of warmer climates ; and a tliird division, with large, beautiful leaves, 

 Cecropia, Ai-tocavpus, and Astrapaea, abound in the hottest climates. 



13. Cactus Fonn. This form is developed chiefly in America, especially in 

 Brazil. 



, 14. Form of Succulent plants. Seen in the MesembryacEe of South Africa. 



15. Lily Form. This includes LUiacese, Amavyllidacese, and Iridacese. Modi- 

 fications of this form occur in warm and temperate climates. 



16. Forms of Lianas or Climbing-plants. These forms are chiefly tropi- 

 cal, and are illustrated by Passion-flowers, Paullinias, Aristolochias, and Bauhi- 

 nias. 



17. Pothos Form. This is a tropical form, and is illustrated by various species 

 of Aracese. 



18. Orchideous Form. Tliis is seen in the splendid Epiphytes of warm 

 climates. Terrestrial species chiefly occur in cold zones. 



2o" Th T ' hpn Form 1 ^°^^ these forms characterise cold regions chiefly. 



Besides the forms of plants, it is found that the prevalent colours 

 sometimes give a character to the vegetation. White or pale-coloured 

 flowers are said to be more abundant in northern latitudes than in the 

 tropics, and in alpine situations they are of more frequent occurrence 

 than on the plains. The xanthio series of colours, Hinds states, i& 

 abundant within the tropics in the autumn, on the plains over the 

 mountains. The flowers of the cyanic series, especially intense blues 



