. The earth and its inhabitants ... Geography. CHAPTER II. FAUNA, FLORA, AND ELGITJM, lying under the same skies as France and Germany, resembles these countries in its fauna and vegetation. At the same time the northern limits of several species of plants run across the country. The chestnut-tree, which only flourishes where the tem- perature of January exceeds 36° F., is unknown in the Ardennes, and rarely met with in Flanders. The holly is unable to survive the cold winters prevailing on the eastern slopes of the Fagnes. Maize, which requires a high summer temperature, does no
. The earth and its inhabitants ... Geography. CHAPTER II. FAUNA, FLORA, AND ELGITJM, lying under the same skies as France and Germany, resembles these countries in its fauna and vegetation. At the same time the northern limits of several species of plants run across the country. The chestnut-tree, which only flourishes where the tem- perature of January exceeds 36° F., is unknown in the Ardennes, and rarely met with in Flanders. The holly is unable to survive the cold winters prevailing on the eastern slopes of the Fagnes. Maize, which requires a high summer temperature, does not ripen in the humid lowlands, but succeeds on the southern slopes of the Ardennes. The vine, capable of resisting the cold of winter, is confined to the valley of the Meuse. The number of species has decreased in consequence of the extension of culti- vation and the extinction of forests. Of larger mammals, the elk, urus, and bison (aurochs) have disappeared long since. The brown bear, which in the twelfth century still lived in the forests of Hainaut, is not found now even in the wildest parts of the Ardennes. The lynx, likewise, has disappeared. The beaver has struggled hard for existence, but has succumbed too, and the hedgehog is threat- ened with the same fate. In exchange for these extinct species Belgium has been invaded by black and brown rats, far more destructive animals than either the bear or the l^'nx. In the secluded parts of the Ardennes the ancient fauna of the country main- tained its ground most firmly. The roe is plentiful there, and even the stag survives, more especially around that legendary town of huntsmen, St. Hubert, owing to the protection extended to it by large landowners. The wild boar still roams through the forests of the Ardennes, and occasionally invades the cultivated fields of Condroz. Even in the country between the Sambre and Meuse it has not completely disappeared. Other wild animals are the wolf, the fox, the marten, the weasel, the pol
Size: 1525px × 1638px
Photo credit: © The Book Worm / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade18, booksubjectgeography, bookyear1883
