GENERAL SUMMARY

OF THE

CONTENTS OF VOL. II.

Physiognomy of Plants-p. 1 to p. 31.

Universal profuse distribution of organic life on the declivities of the highest mountains, on the ocean, and in the atmosphere. Subterranean Flora. Siliceous-shelled Polygastrica in masses of polar ice. Podurella in tubular holes in the glaciers of the Alps; the glacier flea (Desoria glacialis). Small organic creatures in the dust which falls like rain in the neighbourhood of the African Desert. 3-8

History of the vegetable covering of the surface of the globe. Gradual extension of vegetation over the bare rocky crust. Lichens, mosses, and succulent plants. Causes of the present absence of vegetation in particular districts

8-13

Each zone has its peculiar character. All animal and vegetable forms attached to fixed and always recurring types. Physiognomy of Nature. Analysis of the general impression produced by the aspect of a country or district. The several elements which make up this impression; outlines of the mountains, azure of the sky, and form of the clouds but principally determined by the vegetable covering. Animal organisation far less influential on the landscape from deficiency of mass. The power of locomotion of individuals, and

frequently their small size, also contribute to lessen their general effect on the landscape.

13-16

Enumeration of the forms of plants which principally determine the physiognomy of Nature, and which decrease or increase from the equator to the poles according to laws which have been made the subject of investigation.

17-20

Needle trees

Pothos and Aroideæ.

Lianes, or twining rope plants.

Aloë form

Gramineæ

Ferns

Liliacea

Enjoyment derived from the sight of the natural grouping and con

trasts of these forms of plants. Importance of the physiognomic

Scientific Elucidations and Additions-p. 33 to p. 210.

Organic forms, animal and vegetable, in the highest mountain regions adjacent to the limit of perpetual snow in the Andes and the Alps; insects carried up involuntarily by ascending currents of air. The Hypudæus nivalis of the Swiss Alps. On the true elevation above the sea reached by the Chinchilla laniger in Chili.

33-35

Lecidias and Parmelias on rocks not entirely covered with snow; some phænogamous plants also wander in the Cordilleras beyond the limits of perpetual snow, as the Saxifraga boussingaulti, to 15770 English feet above the level of the sea. Groups of phænogamous plants extend in the Andes to 13700 and 14920 English feet above the sea; species of Culcitium, Espeletia, and Ranunculus; small umbelliferous plants resembling mosses in appearance; Myrrhis andicola and Fragosa arctioides.

35, 36 Measurement of the height of Chimborazo, and etymology of the

name

36-39

On the greatest absolute heights which have yet been reached by any human beings in either continent; in the Cordilleras and the Himalaya, on the Chimborazo and the Tarhigang

40

Habits and haunts of the Condor (Cuntur in the Inca language), and singular mode of capturing these powerful birds in an enclosure fenced by palisades

40-44

Useful services rendered by the Gallinazos (Cathartes urubu and C. aura) in purifying the air in the neighbourhood of human habitations; these birds sometimes tamed

44, 45

On what has been called the revivification of Rotiferæ; views of Ehrenberg and Doyère, According to Payen, germs of Cryptogamia preserve their power of germination even after being exposed to the highest temperatures.

45-47

Diminution, if not entire suspension, of organic functions in the winter sleep of animals belonging to the higher classes .

47, 48

Summer sleep of animals in the tropical zone; great dryness acts like winter cold. Tenrecs, crocodiles, tortoises, and the Lepidosiren of Eastern Africa.

48-51

Anther dust or pollen; fertilization of flowers. The Cœlebogyne found to produce perfect seeds in England without any traces of pollen being discovered.

51-53

The luminosity of the ocean produced by living luminous animals and by decaying fibres and membranes of animals. Acalephæ and siliceous-shelled luminous Infusoria. Influence on the luminosity of a stimulus applied to the nerves

. .53-60

Pentastomes inhabiting the pulmonary cells of the rattle-snake of Cumana

60, 61

Rock-building corals. The scaffolding or solid material which survives the death of the coral animals. More correct views of recent times. Shore reefs, encircling reefs, and lagoon islands. Atolls, or coral walls enclosing a lagoon. The coral islands to the south of Cuba, the Jardines del Rey of Columbus. The living gelatinous investment of the calcareous scaffolding of the coral trunks attracts fish and turtles in search of food. Singular mode of fishing by the aid of the Remora (the Echeneis naucrates) 62-72

Probable greatest depth of coral structures

•

72-75