ABSTRACT

The climate of the earth, however, varies according to the position which various spots occupy on the earth’s surface. There are therefore hot and cold forests, hot and cold plains and so on. There is a considerable difference between the climate of countries which lie in the centre of continents and those which lie on the sea-shore, or in the immediate proximity of great masses of water. The conifers are adapted to a rigorous climate, and in some parts of the world reach well within the Arctic Circle. The climate of the oasis has changed, and the people have then carried out into the open world a culture which has developed under the sheltering and, at its optimum, favouring conditions of a fortunate spot in the desert. There are certain conditions in tropical forests which make them of special importance to the student of mankind, even though they throw little light on the arts of life of primitive peoples.