Items related to Wild Life of the World, Vol. 2: A Descriptive Survey...

Wild Life of the World, Vol. 2: A Descriptive Survey of the Geographical Distribution of Animals (Classic Reprint) - Hardcover

Richard Lydekker

 
9780656329236: Wild Life of the World, Vol. 2: A Descriptive Survey of the Geographical Distribution of Animals (Classic Reprint)

Synopsis

Excerpt from Wild Life of the World, Vol. 2: A Descriptive Survey of the Geographical Distribution of Animals

The Boreal zone Of animal life extends all round the North Pole, its Asiatic portion being consequently much more extensive than the European, which com prises only the coast from the North Cape to the mouth of the Obi River; and it may be shortly defined as the tract lying northward of the limit of trees, where the realm Of the Arctic steppe-area, or tundra, begins. In the Western Hemisphere the northern boundary of tree-growth lies somewhat to the southward Of the Arctic Circle, but in the Eastern Hemisphere runs slightly north of the same in certain parts of Siberia.

The landscape and vegetation of the tundra bear the impress Of the Polar climate, with its long dark cold winter, and its short cool summer of perpetual daylight. Among the characteristics of the Arctic winter are the violent winds which heap up the thin mantle of snow in certain parts Of the tundra, and sweep it clean away in others. Equally noticeable is the absence of moisture in the air, under the clear wintry sky. The long winter drags on into the months of our own spring, and in March or April Often develops its most intense cold; but in May the temperature Of the air suddenly rises, July being the hottest month.

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