CHARACTERISTIC FAUNA OF THE CONTINENTS. 133

 

the northern portions of the north temperate
zone, and the southern portions of the arctic,
fur-bearing animals are especially numerous and
valuable.

The white polar bear, the reindeer, moose, and
the musk-ox, are among the largest of the land
species; but in warmer regions of the oceans, nu-
merous species exist, of which the whale is among
the largest of the animal world.

The Greenland whale, which sometimes attains the length
of seventy feet, and is covered with blubber to a thick-
ness of two or three feet, is found only in this zone. A
similar, though smaller, species occurs in the southern
waters. The seal and walrus are also found in this zone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      

Ho, Seals and Walrus.

 

Besides the larger animals, numerous smaller
species, such as minute zodphytes, mollusks, and
erustaceans, which form the food of the whale,
and which, in some places, exist in immense
numbers, inhabit the waters. Among birds, in-
numerable water-fowl occur.

T97

G Le vified

Low wt,
CHAPTER. Il.

Characteristic Fauna of the Conti-
nents.

349. Characteristic Fauna of the Continents.
—FEach of the continents is characterized by some
peculiarity in its fauna. This peculiarity arises
either from the nature of the vegetation, or the
distribution of the heat and moisture, and affords

 

an excellent example of the intimate connection
between the physical features of a country, and
its flora and fauna. Only the general character-
istics of the fauna will be given.

For the particular animals inhabiting each continent,

the student is referred to the map of the distribution of
animal life.

350. North American Fauna.—The chief cha-
racteristic of the North American fauna is found
in the preponderance of plant-eating mammals.
This feature is due to the abundance of pasture-
lands, and their luxuriant vegetation. From its
extensive lake and river systems, North America
is peculiarly fitted to sustain aquatic life; hence,
its numerous water-fowl and beaver.

801. Fur-bearing animals are particularly nu-
merous and valuable. Three natural districts of
fur-bearing animals exist: the forest region, the
prairie region, and the barren regions of the
north, each of which is characterized by a pecu-
liar fauna.

Forest Region —Here, among carnivora, are found the
black bear, marten, ermine, mink, otter, the silver fox, the black
fox, and the lynx; among the rodentia, the beaver and
musk-rat ; and among the ruminants, the moose and rein-
deer. The wolverine and wolf are found both in the for-
est region and the barren grounds.

Barren Grounds.—The brown and polar bears, the polar
fox, and the polar hare are characteristic.

Prairie Region.—The grizzly bear, the most formidable
animal of the continent; the prairie wolf, and the gray fox
are also found here.

The’ puma, or the American lion, which is found
also over the greater part of South America, is
the most powerful representative of the lion and
tiger tribe of the East.

352. South American Fauna.—The chief cha-
racteristics of the South American fauna arise
from the extreme luxuriance of its vegetation,
due to the abundance of its moisture. In vast
districts, as the Selvas of the Amazon, the vege-
table world usurps the ground nearly to the ex-
clusion of the higher forms of animal life. The
fauna is, therefore, as a rule, characterized by its
fitness for existing in connection with either an
abundance of water or of vegetation.

Insect Life is peculiarly characteristic of the
continent. Nowhere else are the species so nu-
merous, so brilliantly colored, or so large. Here
are found the largest of the beetles, and the most
beautiful of the butterflies.

Reptiles are largely represented. They find,
in the tepid, sluggish waters of the huge rivers,
conditions most favorable to rapid growth. Here