The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1909-08-12

the east and west sides of a contin.
ent. Because the world turns from
west to east the prevailing winds in
the northern hemisphere are from the
southwest, The brce1es OF the Pacific
coast are therefore sea breezes, la.
den with moisture, while those In the
eastern Atlantic states are land
breezcs, which have been largely be.
reft of their moisture and are subject
to greater alterations of tempera.
ture. The constant action of these di.
verse conditions would have direct
effect to favor some species on the
Atlantic coast that would not be IA.
vored on the Pacific. and vice versa
Thus we have everything accounted
for In most natural way.
The reason why these plants have
not returned to Greenland and Spitz.
bergen is that the glacial period Is
not yet over, II still prevails in those
northern regions. But they have
started on their northern journey ana
have partially recovered the ground
lost. Some have already attained their
original homes. leaving, however,
many Gtragglcrs on the way. The
main body of arctic vegetation is the
same with that which covered the
country Of the middle Atlantic states
during the climax of the glacial pc
Rod OF the struggling remnants
still left in favorlng situations one Of
the most interesting is Scotch heath.
er, which Is found not only in Labra-
dor, but in few places in Massachu-
sets, like Andover and Cape Cod. In
all the rock gorges opening into Lake
Erie remnants of the glacial yegeta.
tion are preserved in the sequestered
and cool shady hooks. Some such are
also preserved in similar narrow, cool
gorges opening into the Ohio river
below Cincinnati
But the mountains formed the best
retreats for the arctic plants. which
were following up the receding Ice
sheet. Alpine plants are found on the
high elevations OF the White noun.
tains and on the high peaks of the
Rocky and Sierra Nevada mountains
as far south as New Mexico, but are
absent over all the intervening areas
In some respects the effect of the
glacial period upon animal life and
was even more peculiar |
han that on plants. During that pc.
rod large number of arctic species |
we're crowded down into central Eu. |
'ope and into the middle and north.
'rn states of the Atlantic coast and |
valley. In company with |
mans remains there are found those |
II the grizzly bear, the Irish elk, the
the musk OK and the arctic
OK, while the ibex and the chamios,
which now occupy the high mountain
rags. descended to the valleys. Sew.
raj of these northern species now ex.
met were also present In these ten.
,erate regions.
The indirect effect OF this incur.
ion Of arctic animals into the tenn
truction of many animal forms
Which already occupied the region.
ust before the glacial period there
iere living In America two extinct
pecies of the cat family as large as
ons, four species of the dog family
S large as wolves, while the walrus
'as found In Virginia, the sea COW
l South Carolina. There were also
wing six species of horses, the South
merican tapir and llama, camel,
wo species of elephant and two OF
lastodons, species of megatherium,
1ree of megalonyx and one of mylo-
terrestrial sloths as large
3 the rhinoceros or even as the ele.
hant.
Insects also, as well as plants and
lie larger animals. we're compelled to
'ckon with the glacial period Among