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. Podurellæ 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
