CHAPTER XIV. 
THE NEOTROPICAL REGION. 
This region, comprehending not only South America but Tropical 
North America and the Antilles, may be compared as to extent 
with the Ethiopian region ; but it is distinguished from all the 
other great zoological divisions of the globe, by the small pro- 
portion of its surface occupied by deserts, by the large proportion 
of its lowlands, and by the altogether unequalled extent and 
luxuriance of its tropical forests. It further possesses a grand 
mountain range, rivalling the Himalayas in altitude and far 
surpassing them in extent, and which, being wholly situated 
within the region and running through eighty degrees of latitude, 
offers a variety of conditions and an extent of mountain slopes, 
of lofty plateaus and of deep valleys, which no other tropical re- 
gion can approach. It has a further advantage in a southward 
prolongation far into the temperate zone, equivalent to a still 
greater extension of its lofty plateaus ; and this has, no doubt, 
aided the development of the peculiar alpine forms of life which 
abound in the southern Andes. Tne climate of this region is 
exceptionally favourable. Owing to the lofty mountain range 
situated along its western margin, the moisture-laden trade winds 
from the Atlantic have free access to the interior. A sufficient 
proportion of this moisture reaches the higher slopes of the Andes, 
where its condensation gives rise to innumerable streams, which 
cut deep ravines and carry down such an amount of sediment, 
that they have formed the vast plains of the Amazon, of Para- 
