38 Prof. Schouw on the Geographical Distribution of Faints ■„ 
In order to determine the distribution in the different parts of 
the Torrid Zone, it would not be accurate to take into account 
the relative numbers of individual Floras, because the numbers 
of the palm species in these Floras are so small, that the quotient 
would be very materially altered by the addition of one or two 
species. Of the ninety-eight which remain, after deducting the 
twelve European ones, already mentioned, forty-six fall to South 
America ; thirty-two to the Torrid Zone in Asia ; fifteen to Afri- 
ca ; three to New Holland ; one to New Zealand ; and four to the 
South Sea Islands. Although tropical America is better known 
than the tropical parts of the Old World, and consequently the 
number of palms great in proportion, it may nevertheless be fairly 
presumed that the family there attains its maximum ; for, be- 
sides the forty-six described species, there are thirty-nine moie, of 
which we have an imperfect knowledge ; and it farther appears, 
from the reports of travellers, that such palm-woods as those of 
South America are less frequent in other parts of the world ; 
whence America, in respect of species, displays much greater 
peculiarities and variety. Africa and New Holland seem to be 
least favourable to this tribe ; for, on the Congo, Smith found 
only from three to four palms. In Guinea, we know merely of 
the same number : and of the other African palms, six belong 
to the Islands of Bourbon and France. New Holland has, in 
the Torrid Zone, three species ; while Forster’s Prodromus of 
the Flora of the South Sea Islands contains four, Cocos nucfe - 
ra, Corypha umbracvlifera , Areca oleracea , and Areca sapida. 
Art. V .—Observations on the Temperature of Man and other 
Animals . By John Davy, M. D. F. R. S. (Concluded 
from Vol. XII. p. 311.) 
III. Of the Temperature of different hinds of Animals. 
My observations on the temperature of different kinds of 
animals have been made at intervals, as leisure and opportuni- 
ty permitted, in England, Ceylon, and during a voyage to In- 
dia. Though pretty numerous, they are far from complete, 
and I can presume to offer them only as a humble contribu- 
tion. 
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