&c., occur in some parts both of British America and the United States.

The vegetable productions of the western lowland of North America have been in some measure described. The whole region to the eastward of the Rocky Mountains, may be considered under one head. One of the most important features of this region consists of the vast forests, which once covered so large a portion of its surface, though now fast falling under the axe of the settler. Among these, oaks are very numerous, and their range extends from Canada to the extreme southern parts of the United States, varying, however, in height, from two feet, to trees of the most stately dimensions. The scarlet oak, whose foliage changes in autumn to" scarlet honours bright," adds much to the beauty of the scenery at that season; whilst the tulip tree (fig. 5), another ornament of this region, and which attains the height of eighty feet, assumes a garb of the brightest yellow. The white elm ranks among the most graceful and majestic of American forest trees; and the elegant American locust tree (fig. 67), commonly known with us as the acacia tree, though in this country of little value, grows to a splendid size, and forms an important timber tree in its native soil. Here also we meet with the ash, and various species of maple, including the sugar maple (fig. 30), from the abundant saccharine sap of which, no less than nine million pounds of valuable sugar are said to be annually made in the northern part of the United States. Walnut trees are very abundant in this region; and among these are the Illinois nut (fig. 102), much prized for its delicious kernel, the black walnut (fig. 103), and the hiccory (fig. 104). The Hudson's Bay poplar (fig. 110), American plane (fig. 114), and arbor vitæ (fig. 159), are also natives of this region. The fir tribe are likewise very numerous and varied, and include the swamp pine (fig. 146), gray or scrub pine (fig. 147), black spruce (fig. 150), Canada balsam fir (fig. 151), hemlock spruce (fig. 152), and the important Weymouth pine, (the white pine of commerce,) which,

from its size, straightness of growth, and numerous valuable qualities, is particularly adapted for masts of ships, as well as many other purposes.

Rhododendrons, azaleas, kalmias, and more especially, magnolias in the form of trees, abound in the more southern parts of North America, extending their range to about latitude 35°. From thence to about latitude 50°, this region is remarkable for the preponderance of asters and solidagos; whilst in the more northern parts, the saxifrages abound. Among the latter, is the Saxifraga flagillaris, the long runners of which, radiating from a central stem, give it a curious and spider-like appearance, from whence it has obtained among our sailors the name of the spider plant.

In these high latitudes the oak disappears; but the banks of the rivers are in some parts fringed with fir trees and willows, whilst the latter appears among the last trees on the islands of the northern lakes. The wild rose is also conspicuous on all the streams; and whortleberries, cranberries, &c., are in great abundance. The more northerly regions produce a species of lichen, to which the name tripe de roche has been given. This lichen is extensively

used by the Canadian hunters as an article of food, and formed the sole means of sustenance for many days of Sir John Franklin and Dr. Richardson, and also some of their companions, during their expedition to these inhospitable regions. Wretched as this diet may appear, the value of this plant must be regarded as great, in a climate where

other alimentary vegetables are unknown; and it is a circumstance which cannot fail to excite our admiration of the providing care of the wise and beneficent Author of Nature, that the various species of lichen and other cryptogamic plants, which are capable of thriving in cold climates, are more adapted to afford nourishment to man than those of similar genera, growing in countries where the more nutritive vegetables abound. Various species of fungi also, which are highly noxious, if not absolutely poisonous, when met with in temperate regions, appear to lose their pernicious qualities in cold climates, where they are even eagerly sought for as articles of food.

Among the cultivated vegetables, oats and rye are grown in the northern parts of the agricultural districts; wheat and maize (fig. 203) in the southern parts, of which the latter appears to be a native. Vast quantities of rice are grown in the moist districts of the same region. The introduction of the latter valuable grain into Carolina, appears to have been wholly accidental: a ship, on its return from the East Indies, was cast away on these shores, and some bags of rice being found among its stores, a trial was made of sowing it; when it succeeded beyond all expectation, producing a grain more esteemed for many culinary purposes, than that grown in its native regions. The cotton plant (fig. 37), also a native of the East, is likewise extensively cultivated in the Carolinas and Georgia; and the cotton produced on the coast in this region, and called "Sea Islands cotton," is considered some of the finest in the world. Tobacco (fig. 136), is raised in greater quantities in Maryland and Virginia than in any other part of the globe ; whilst in the warm districts of Florida and Louisiana, the sugar cane (fig. 201) is successfully cultivated.

We have before remarked, that the zoology of the New World is distinct from that of the Old, with the exception, however, of the Arctic regions, where similar species occur in both continents; among which we enumerated the polar bear, artic fox, wolverine, &c., and some species of birds.