M. Ramond or the Vegetation [Appendix. 



The Juniper traverses far beyond this circle, up to the elevation 

 of 2900 metres, but this shrub, as it ascends, gradually loses the 

 habit and appearance, which distinguish it in our plains : there it 

 resembles the Juniper of Sweden, and Lapland, with a low spread- 

 ing stem, prostrate on the ground, seeking an asylum as it were 

 by instinct on those sides of the rocks exposed to the south or 

 west, against which it spreads out its branches into an espalier, 

 with a regularity which art can seldom attain.* 



In a more elevated region, we find the rigour of the climate 

 will not permit the existence of any shrub whatever, which the 

 first snows do not entirely cover. Still higher, even this shelter 

 is insufficient, and nothing but a few herbs with perennial roots 

 actually under the earth, subsists. Nature has almost entirely- 

 banished from such places, annual plants ; where the whole sum- 

 mer is reduced to a few days, nay, sometimes a few hours ; where 

 often a storm of wind, or dripping fog, will destroy the flowers 

 which have scarcely blossomed, and, bringing back winter, ter- 

 minate the year. 



On the contrary, hardly any elevation seems to stop the pro- 

 gress of some perennials, which on the approach of severe cold, 

 shelter themselves under the double protection of the earth and 

 snow, forming their buds underground, and springing up the first 

 fine day of the succeeding year. Their duration exhausts the 

 chances of all times and seasons, till, sooner or later, they also 

 ripen seed, by which they are multiplied. 



Thus the vegetable zone of our Alps has in fact no other limits, 

 than those of the earth or soil covering them. The Pic du Midi, 

 which I have ascended 26 times, is 3000 metres above the level 

 of the sea, but I never once found the thermometer there rise to 



planted in light sandy peat under a rock, or north-west wall, and watered plentifully 

 in dry weather. Seer. 



* Two distinct species are probably here confounded, an opinion in which I was 

 confirmed by the late Mr. Dryander. Seer. 



