Views of nature: or Contemplations on the sublime phenomena of creation: with scientific illustrationsHumboldt, Alexander von
Science
Views of nature: or Contemplations on the sublime phenomena of creation: with scientific illustrations
Humboldt, Alexander von
Physical geography; Plant morphology; Science; South America -- Description and travel
Specialities on the plant-forms already enumerated. Physiognomy of
plants discussed from three different points of view: the absolute
difference of the forms, their local preponderance in the sum total of
the phanerogamic Floras, and their geographical as well as climatic
dispersion—pp. 296–346. Greatest height of arboral plants; examples of
223 to 246 feet in Pinus Lambertiana and P. Douglasii, of 266 in P.
Strobus, of 300 feet in Sequoia gigantea and Pinus trigona. All these
examples are from the north-western part of the New Continent. The
Araucaria excelsa of Norfolk Island, accurately measured, rises only
from 182 to 223 feet; the Alpine palms of the Cordilleras (Ceroxylon
andicola), only 190 feet—pp. 322–324. A contrast to these gigantic
vegetable forms, presented not merely by the stem of the arctic willow
(Salix arctica, two inches in height,) stunted by cold and exposure on
the mountains, but also in the tropical plains by the Tristicha
hypnoides, a phanerogamic plant which is hardly three French lines
(quarter of an inch) in height, when fully developed—pp. 324–325.
Bursting forth of blossoms from the rough bark of the Crescentia
Cujete, of the Gustavia augusta, from the roots of the Cacao tree. The
largest blossoms borne by the Rafflesia Arnoldi, Aristolochia cordata,
Magnolia, Helianthus annuus—p. 348.
The different forms of plants determine the scenic character of
vegetation in the different zones. Physiognomic classification, or
distribution of the groups according to external facies, is from its
basis of arrangement entirely different from the classification
according to the system of natural families. The physiognomy of plants
is based principally on the so-called organs of vegetation, on which
the preservation of the individual depends; systematic botany bases
the classification of the natural families on the consideration of the
organs of reproduction, on which the preservation of the species
depends—pp. 348–352.
ON THE STRUCTURE AND MODE OF ACTION OF VOLCANOS IN
DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE EARTH— pp. 353–375.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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