The Surface Zones of the Globe. A Handbook to accompany a Physical Chart

Abstract

THIS little volume will form an interesting and valuable addition to our educational manuals, either as a lesson-book for pupils or as a handbook for teachers. The author divides the surface of the globe into seven great zones, and shows that, without considering the particular species of plants, or the more minute details of the forms of natural life which occur in these belts, and which may differ in one continent from another, there is a resemblance in character throughout the whole extent of each zone, whether of forest, or pasture, or desert, which cannot be mistaken. Mr. Johnston names these zones as follows:—1. The Equatorial Forest Region; 2. The Equatorial Pasture Lands; 3. The Deserts; 4. The Temperate Pasture Lands; 5. The Temperate Forests; 6. The Barren Tundra Regions; 7. The Icy Polar Regions. He describes in detail the characteristic appearance and productions of each region, and in doing so manages to convey a considerable amount of useful information. The manual is intended to accompany a large chart of the world on which these surface zones are distinguished, and a minute copy of which forms one of the diagrams of the work. Another very curious and interesting diagram is intended to show the surface zones on the supposition of a change of 90° in the position of the earth. The coloured illustrations showing the characteristic appearances of the various zones are as successful as anything of the kind we have seen, although, what perhaps cannot be avoided in coloured illustrations of this kind, there is a little too much of “the light that never was on sea or land” upon them.

The Surface Zones of the Globe. A Handbook to accompany a Physical Chart.

Keith

Johnston

By. With two Maps and six Illustrations. (W. and A. K. Johnston, 1874.)