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 in 2011 with funding from 
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OUTLINES 
 
 07 
 
 PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY 
 
 BT 
 
 GEORGE W, FITCH. 
 
 ItLUSTEATED WITH 
 
 " Let me once understand the real geography of a country, — its organic structure, if I 
 may so call it ; the form of its skeleton, — that is, of its hills ; the magnitude and course of 
 its veins and arteries,— that is, of its streams and rivers ; let me conceive of it as a whole, 
 made up of connected parts ; and then the position of man's dwellings. Viewed in refer* 
 ence to these parts, becomes at once easily remembered, and lively and intelligible be* 
 Bides." Da. Aknold. 
 
 REVISED, WITH NOTES, ALTERATIONS, AND ADDITIONS, 
 
 BY 
 
 ALPHONSO J. ROBINSON. 
 
 TENTll LARGK EDITtOlT, 
 
 NEW YORK: 
 IVJSON, PHINNEY, BLAKEMAN & COMPANY, 
 
 Nos. 48 & 50 "WALKER STREET. 
 
 CHICAGO : S. C. GRIGGS & CO., 39 & 41 LAKE ST, 
 
 PHILADELPHIA : SOWER, BARNES & CO. 
 
 1865. 
 
^?>5<i 
 
 '\ -■ 
 
 EWTHHED, ACCOEtJIHS TO Act OP CONGRESS, IN THE TEAR 1855, BT 
 
 J. H. COLTON & CO. AND G. "W. FITCH, 
 
 IN THE OLEHE'S OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT COURT OF THE UNITED STATES fOS 
 THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW TCRS. 
 
 •f'Bnt':?Mrft, ACCORDINO TO ACT OF CONGRESS IN THU TEAR. 1858, T't 
 
 J. H. COLTON, 
 
 IW 'Sa.S CIjBRK'S OFFICE of the DISTRICT COURT OF THE UNITES STATES FOB 
 THE SOUTHJ.RN DISTRICT O? JSTEW TOaS. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 The following pages have been prepared ■with the view of supplying the 
 want of a treatise on Physical Geography, adapted to the use of Schools 
 and Academies. It is rather a remarkable fact, that among the multitude 
 and variety of school-books prepared for the schools in the United States, 
 there is not one devoted exclusively to this science. The consequence is, 
 that Physical Geography, as a separate study, is very rarely taught in 
 our schools, and that all, or most of the knowledge acquired respecting 
 it, is what is incidently obtained in pursuing other kindred studies. 
 
 The Author has aimed to present none but well- authenticated facts, aad ac- 
 cordingly he has consulted the latest and most reliable authorities. Among 
 the works from which valuable information has been obtained are " Lyfll's 
 Principles of Geology," " Milner's Gallery of Nature," " Mil- 
 ker's Geography," " Kemtz's Meteorology," " Hughes' Outlines 
 OF Geography," and " Somerville's Physical Geography." In this 
 connection, the Author would acknowledge his great obligation to Lieut. 
 ]M. F. Maury, Superintendent of the National Observatory, Washington, for 
 very valuable information on the recent deep-sea soundings which he has 
 caused to be made in the Atlantic Ocean. From Maury's " Sailing Di- 
 rections" many interesting facts have been gleaned respecting the winds 
 and currents of the ocean, trade routes, etc. To A D Bacbe, Superin- 
 tendent of the United States Coast Survey, the Author is indebted for va- 
 rious Reports of the operations of that department, and for a Tide Table of 
 the United States which was specially prepared for this book. 
 
 The maps were compiled with the greatest care by Mr. George TV. Colton, 
 the aim being to exhibit the most remarkable and interesting features of 
 Physical Geography, as far as they are capable of being represented to the 
 «ye. 
 
prefaojis. 
 
 It is proper to observe that, in the preparation of this treatise, no attempt 
 at originality was made, but simply an effort to digest and arrange the 
 more important facts in an intelligible style for learners. In many in- 
 stances the Author has employed the phraseology of other writers, without 
 always defacing the pages with quotation marks and references. Length- 
 ened extracts, and those containing peculiar views of an author, are credited 
 to their proper sources. 
 
 The Author can not refrain from expressing the hope that the book will 
 meet the anurobation of teachers, and excite in the minds of learners a 
 desire for further attainments in this interesting department of science. 
 
COI(TEI(TS. 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 Definition of Ph}'sieal Geography— how divided— the First Part— the Second Part— the 
 Third Part— the Fourth Part Pages 1-3 
 
 PART I. 
 
 THE LAND. 
 LESSON I. — ^Extent and Distribution of the Land 4-5 
 
 LESSON n. — Continents: Eastern continent — its extreme limits. North America: its 
 leugih and breadih — area — coast-line — iudentations. South America: its dimensions. 
 6-T 
 
 LESSON in. — Continents (coji^irawecT) : Eastern continent: its length and breadih — area. 
 Europe: its dimensions — its peninsular character. Asia: its dimensions. Africa: its 
 dimensions. Table of the area of the five grand divisions, their extent of coast-line, 
 etc. General remarks on the coniineuts 7-9 
 
 LESSON IV. — Islands : Australia — taMe of the area of some of the largest islands, and 
 their comparative size — Kdckall — chains of islands or continental islands — ocianic isl- 
 ands — archipel.igoes — single islands, St. Helena, Ascension I^lands — volcanic islands — 
 examples of islands suddenly formed by volcanic action, Graham Island 10-12 
 
 LESSON V. — CoKAL Islands: Great extent of coralline structures — Great Barrier Eeef — 
 dtscription of coral animals and their operations — an atoll — lagoons — encirc'ing-reefs — 
 barrier-reefs — action of the waves on the Great Barrier Beef — Florida Eecf^Florida 
 Keys — coral fringes — observations on coral islands by Capt. Basil Hall 13-lT 
 
 LESSON VI. — Mountains: Insulated mountains — usual arrangement of mountains — 
 mountain systt- nis of ihe two continents — secotidary ranges — highest known mountains 
 on the globe— liiftiest summits in the other four grand divisions — iai>le of heights above 
 the sea of some remarkable inhabited sites — list of some remarkable heights which have 
 been reached 18-21 
 
 LESSON VII. — The Mountain Systems of the "Western Continent: North Arnerican 
 Mountains. — The Kocky Mountains, the highest summits — the M<iuntains of the West 
 Coast — the Apalachian or Alleghany ranges. Green Mountains, "White Mountains, Adi- 
 rondack Mountains, Catskill Mountains — highest summits in the Apalachian range — 
 Ozark Mountains— Ihe mountains in "ilexwo-^Soutli Amencan Mountains.— The Andes 
 — how divided — peculiarities of each division. The mountains of Guiana— of Brnzil. 
 22-26 
 
 LESSON VIII. — Mountain Systems op the Eastern Continents : European Moimt- 
 ajjis.— The Balkan Mountains — the Alps, celebrated passes — the Apennines — the Car- 
 pathian Mountains — the Mountains of the Spanish peninsula — the Scandinavian Mount- 
 
yi CONTENTS. 
 
 alns— the Ural Mountains. Asiatic Mountains. — The Himalaya Mountains — the Altai 
 Mouiitiiins — the Hindou-Koosli — ihe Mountains of Armenia — llie cliain of Mount Taurus. 
 African Mcrimtaiiis. — Alias Mountains — the Mountains of Abyssinia — mountains of Iha 
 ■western coast — of the eastern coast-^of Soiith Africa Pages 26-33 
 
 LESSON IX — Upland Plains ok Table-Lands: Table-lands of North America — pla- 
 teau of Chihualiua— table-lands of South America — the most extensive table-land of Eu- 
 rope — table-lauds of Asia — elevation of the plain of Tibet — table-lands of Africa.. 34-30 
 
 LESSOX X. — Lowland Plains: The great central plain of North America — prairies — 
 llie pl.iin or lowiand of the Atlantic coast — the great central plain of South America — 
 llanos — selvas — pampas 36-40 
 
 LESSON XL — Glaciers : Regions of glaciers — their origin — movements of glaciers — .ip- 
 pearance of glaciers— their uses 40-43 
 
 LESSON XII. — Snow Mountains and Avalanches : Drift, sliding, creeping, and ice 
 avalanches — destructive effects of avalanches 43-45 
 
 LESSON XIII.— Volcanoes : Active, intermittent, or extinct volcanoes — number and dis- 
 tribution of volcanoes 45-4T 
 
 LESSON XIV. — Volcanic Regions : Tke Volcanic Regions of the Andes. — Of North 
 America. Volcanoes of Mexico — of the West India Islands. Volcanic Region from 
 the Aleutian Isles to the Moluccas and Isles of Suiida. Volcanic Regions oftlie Medi- 
 terranean , 4T-52 
 
 LESSON XV. — Vesutiits : Description of its crater — Ilerculaneura and Pompeii. Etna 
 — iis eruption in 16tJ9. Volcanoes of Iceland — eruption of Skaptar Jokul in 178-3. 
 Geysers 52-5T 
 
 LESSON XVI.— Eaktiiquakes : Proof that earthquakes and volcanoes have a similar or- 
 igin — intensity of earthquakes — movements of tlie earth they produce — their duration, 
 instances — ih'jir frequency — iheir effects in elevating and depressing the land, instances 
 — cielts and fissures — fatal effects of earthquakes , . .57-59 
 
 PART n. 
 
 THE WATERS. 
 
 LESSON I. — Chemical Composition of Watek: The fresh waters — the salt water — salts 
 ciintaine<l in sea-water — salt-water lakes— the benevolence of the Deity as manifested in 
 the wide diffusion of water over the globe 60-03 
 
 LESSON II. — Mineral Springs: Acidulous waters — chalybeate springs — sulphurous 
 spriiias — saline springs, the salt springs at Salina and Syracuse—mineral springs nf the 
 United States 63-65 
 
 LESSON III. — Rivers: Their sources — basins — area of the principal river basins — course 
 of rivers— table of river windings 65-6T 
 
 LESSON IV. — Rivers {continued): Tie fall of rivers — cataracts — the Falls of Niagara — 
 of St. Anthony — other noted falls in America— principal waterfalls of the eastern con- 
 tinent 68-71 
 
 LESSON V. — Rivers ^continued) : The termination of rivers— deltas— the delta of the 
 Mississippi, how produced— sedimentary matter of the Ganges — oceanic rivers — conti- 
 nenial' rivers— causes which determine the magnitude of rivers — proportional quantity 
 of water discharged by some of the priacipal rivers — inundations of rivers — historic asso- 
 ciations of rivers , . 71-76 
 
CONTENTS. Vll 
 
 LESSON VI. — Tav. Eiter Ststems op the "W^estern Conttncnt: yorlh American RiV' 
 «/•&— Divisions of the continent with reference to its drainage — the Mississippi — the Mis- 
 Bouri — the Ohio— the St. Lawrence — other streams draining the Atlantic slope— rivers 
 draining the region West of the Eocivy Mountains— fivers draining the northern slupe — 
 other streams. Pages TC-T9 
 
 LESSON VIL — EirER Systems of the Western CoNTt^rENT [continued): South Amer^ 
 ican Hivefs. — The Orinoco — the Amazon — ihe Eio de la Plata 80-81 
 
 LESSON VIIL — ErvER Systems op the Eastern Continent: The two principal river 
 systems of Europe-^the Volga — Danube — Khine — other European rivers 82-S4 
 
 LESSON IS. — ^EivER Systems op the Eastern Continent {continued) : The two princi- 
 pal classes of Asiatic rivers— the Obi — Yenesei — Lena — Ganges— the Indus— other Asiatic 
 rivers — drainage by continental fivers. Afi-ican Rivers. — The Nile— the Niger— other 
 African rivers 84-S3 
 
 LESSON X. — LakSs: Distribution of fresh-water lakes- salt-water lakes — ^physical dif- 
 ference of lakes — lakes which have no outlet, and do not receive any running water — 
 lakes which receive water, but have no apparent outlet— ^lakes which receive no streams, 
 but give birth to some — lakes which both receive and discharge water— elevations of 
 lakes 88-93 
 
 LESSON XL— Lakes (continued) : Korth American Lakes. — Lake Superior — Huron- 
 Michigan — Ontario-Mother North American Lakes. South American Lakes. — Lake Titi- 
 caca 90-93 
 
 LESSON XII.— Lakes (continued) ; European Lakes. — Tables of the dimensions of the 
 principal European lakes, their elevations, etc. Asiatic Lakes. African Lakes.. 93-*99 
 
 LESSON XIII. — ^The Ocean : Partial oceans and their branches— the Arctic Ocean — 
 floating masses of ice — sheet ice — the Grinnell Expedition— icebergs — point of Ihe great- 
 est cold— the Atlantic Ocean — " Banks of Fucus"— the Paciflc Ocean-^the Indian Ocean 
 -^the Antarctic Ocean— discoveries of Wilkes and Eoss S6-100 
 
 LESSON XIV. — The Ocean (continued) : Temperature — color — depth— deep-sea sound* 
 ings 100-104 
 
 LESSON XV. — The Ocean (continued) : "Waves — tides— theory of tides explained — tide 
 table for the coast of the United States 10&-109 
 
 LKSSON XVl. — The Ocean (continued) : Currents — catises of the oceanic currents- arc- 
 tic current— equatorial current— Mexican Gulf Stream , „ , 110-115 
 
 1»AIIT III. 
 
 THE ATMOSPHEEK 
 LESSOif I.— CoMPOBitioif of AtR : Properties of oxygen gas .' 116-117 
 
 LESSON II. — PROPERTiEa OP TirE ATMOsfliEBE : Transparency — fluidity^— Weight— how 
 indicated — the use that is made of barometers to ascertain the height Of mountains — 
 elasticity of the atmosphere — effect of rarefied air on the human body 118-121 
 
 Lesson hi. — Winds : Ilow caused — uses — how their direction is indicated^^the direc- 
 tion of the wind in the upper regions often the reverse of What it is in the lower — velo- 
 city of winds. Variahle Winds. — ^Table of the relative frequency of winds in different 
 countries-M;i)ld winds — the bora, mistral, vent de bise, galiego — hot winds — simoom- 
 harmattan — sirocco — salano < 121-129 
 
 Lesson IV. — permanent Winds: The trade-Winds— how explained^mportant uses of 
 trside«windB ., 130-135 
 
vm CONTENTS. 
 
 LESSON v.— Periodical "Winds : Monsoons— Etesian winds— land and sea breezes— the 
 zone of calms lSo-139 
 
 LESSON VL — IIpKEiCANES : The three hurricane regions 189-140 
 
 LESSON VII. — Moisture: "When least in the atmosphere — when greatest — mists and 
 fogs 140-143 
 
 LESSON Tin. — Clottds : Cirrus or curlcloud — cumulus or stackencloud — stratus or fall- 
 cloud — composite forms — height of clouds ; 143-146 
 
 LESSON IX. — Eaix : Extraordinary showers—unequal distribution of rain — table showing 
 the diminution of rain from llie equator to the poles — increase in the annual number of tlie 
 rainy days as we go from the equator explained — fall of rain the greatest near the coasts 
 — and in mountainous districts — rainless regions— rainy seasons in the tropics . . 147-149 
 
 LESSON X.— Sno-w and Haii.: Forms of snow crystals — limits of snow at the level of 
 the sea — uses of snow — hail, how formed li,0-153 
 
 LESSON XI. — Climate : Meaning of the term — by what causes determined — the latitude 
 of a country — elevdtlon nhove the level of the sea — line of perpetual snow — climates of 
 mountainous regions in the torrid zone — height above the sea of individual classes of 
 vegetation— vegetable regions on Mount Etna— Teneriffe 15S-15T 
 
 LESSON XII. — Climate {continued) : The nearness to^ or remoteness of a country from, 
 the sea — wtiy America has a colder climate than corresponding latitudes in the e;istt-rn 
 hemisphere — the slope of a country, or the aKV-ji, it presents to the suji^s course — how 
 observed in the Alps,— the position and direction, of mountain chains — the nature of 
 the soil — the cultivation and improvement of a country — prevalent winds — annual 
 quantity of rain 15S-163 
 
 LESSON XIII. — Climate {continrted) : When me greatest cold occurs— table of the cli-" 
 mates of different places — isothermal lines — hot regions— warm regions — temnerafe re- 
 gions— cold regions — frozen regions 16S-166 
 
 PART IV. 
 
 ORGANIC EXISTENCE. 
 
 LESSON I.— Plants: Organic existence defined— wide distribution of plants^^light, heat, 
 and moisture as affecting plants — number of species known — divisions of the vegetable 
 kingdom— ages of trees 16S-171 
 
 LESSON II.— Distribution of Plants: Indigenous and exotic plants — diflFerent regions 
 inhabited by distinct species of plants-^botanical provinces—diffusion of plants . . 171-175 
 
 LESSON III. — Foot) Plants : What plants man has selected fof his food— arborescent 
 food-plants— the food plants which prevail in the Old World — those which have their 
 origin in the New World— barley, rye, oats— wheat, buckwheat — maize or Indian corn, 
 j-jce — olive, date-palm — banana — cocoa-nut palm-^bfead-fruit tree — potato-^cassava-^" 
 arrow root^sugar-cane — coffee-^tea — the vine — fig— the cocoa or chocolate tree. 175-180 
 
 LESSON I'V.— Animals : Number of species— four grand divlsions-^vertebfated animals 
 — how sulidivided — mammalia — birds — reptiles — molluscous animals-^articulated ani.- 
 mals— radiated animals < 181-1S2 
 
 LESSON v.— DisTKTBUTiow OF Animals : Diversity imthe organizations of animals— pro- 
 fusion of animal life in the torrid zone — insects of the torrid zone— reptiles, birds, and 
 mammiferous quadrupeds of the torrid zone — animal tribes of the temperate and cold 
 regions — adaptation of animals to different climates 182^185 
 
LESSON VI.— Zoological EEaioNs: Different regions inhabited by distinct species of 
 animals, as well as plants — number of zoological regions — European region — African 
 region — region of Southern Africa — of Madagascar— of India — of tlie Indian Archipel- 
 ago — of New Guinea— of Australia — of North America— of South America.... ISl-lSS 
 
 LESSON VII. — Man: Number of the human race — their wide diffusion — man's capability 
 of accommodating himself to a great diversity of circumstances. ... ... 1S8-1S9 
 
 Lesson VIII. — Races op Men: All mankind the offspring of common parents— classi- 
 fications of mankind with reference to the color of tlie hair — with reference to the sliapo 
 of the skull — the Caucasian race — the Mongolian race—the Ethiopic race — the American 
 
 i race — the Malay race 190-195 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 CHIEF PRODUCTIONS OF THE EARTH AND THE COUNTRIES WHERE 
 
 THEY ARE PRODUCED 19T-199 
 
 EXPORTS OF COUNTRIES 199-201 
 
 TRADE ROUTES . 201-204 
 
 METALLIC PRODUCTIONS 204-21L 
 
 LIST OF THE PRINCIPAL MOUNTAINS, WITH THEIR ELEVATIONS. 212-217 
 
 LIST OP THE PRINCIPAL RIVERS, WITH THEIR CHIEF TRIBUTA- 
 RIES ; 21S-221 
 
 TABLE OF TEMPERATURE 222-225 
 
LIST OF MAPS. 
 
 I. The World, illustrating tlie Principal Features of the Land 6 
 
 NoTB — For the sake of greater clearness, the Co-tidal Linos are 
 shown on this map rather than on the next, where 
 the water portion is devoted to an illustration of the 
 Oceanic Currents. 
 
 ^ n. " illustrating the Divisions and Movements of the Waters 
 oftheGlobe 62 
 
 ■J in. " illustrating the Geographical Distribution of some of the 
 Principal Phenomena of Meteorology 122 
 
 ■^ rV. ''■'■ showing the Geographical Distribution and Limits of 
 Cultivation of some of the Principal Plants useful to 
 Mankind 172 
 
 \ V. " showing the Geographical Distribution and Range of 
 some of the Principal Members of the Animal King- 
 dom 182 
 
 \ VI. " illustrating the Productive Industry of various Countries, 
 and exhibiting the Principal Localities of Commerce 
 and Navigation, Trade Routes, etc 196 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 parts, 
 Land 
 
 HYSICAL Geography is a 
 description of the general 
 features of the earth's sur- 
 face, the organized beings placed 
 upon it, and the operations of the 
 atmosphere by which it is uni- 
 versally surrounded. It relates 
 to the earth as it exists in a state 
 of nature, without regard to po- 
 litical or arbitrary divisions, or 
 to any of the changes effected 
 by man. 
 
 2. It may be divided into four 
 lelatmg respecti ciy to the following subjects; 1. The 
 or solid portion of the earth's surface ; 2. The Water, 
 
 Questions.— 1. "What is Physical Geography ? To what does it relate ? 2. lato how 
 many parts may it be divided ? Name the subjects to which they relate. 
 
 1 
 
2 INTEODUCTION. 
 
 or liquid portion ; 3. The operations of the Atmosphere ; 4. 
 Animal and Vegetable life. 
 
 3. The First Part describes the extent and distribution of the 
 land ; the arrangement of the continental masses and islands ; 
 the magnitude and direction of the great mountain systems ; and 
 the situation and extent of the vast plains, upland and lowland, 
 which constitute the most productive portions of the earth's sur- 
 face. This part also relates to volcanoes, earthquakes, etc., in 
 their relation to the character and aspect of the land portion of 
 the earth. 
 
 4. The Second Part relates to the waters of the globe, whether 
 salt or fresh ; the origin, course, fall, and termination of rivers ; 
 the distribution and magnitude of lakes ; and the extent, depth, 
 tidal and other movements of the oceanic waters. 
 
 5. The Third Part treats of the operations of the atmosphere 
 which surrounds our globe. It describes the laws in accordance 
 with which winds are produced, and the causes influencing their 
 course and velocity ; it explains the phenomena of moisture, dew, 
 rain, snow, and hail, and the various causes which are concerned 
 in the regulation of climate. 
 
 6. The Fourth Part relates to organic existence, or the ani- 
 mals and plants distributed over the globe. It describes the 
 great natural divisions of plants, the agencies which contribute 
 to their diffusion, the food plants, and the regions where they are 
 produced. It presents the orders of the animal kingdom, shows 
 its diversity of organization, and its diffusion, and explains the 
 zoological character of the different portions of the world. 
 
 7. The facts of Physical Geography are of a more permanent character 
 than those which relate to the civil or political affairs of mankind. The 
 Iboundaries of nations are frequently changed, either by conquests or treat- 
 ies; new countries become peopled, and new states and territories organ- 
 ized ; populous cities spring suddenly into existence ; and the arts of civili- 
 zation are rapidly carried to distant quarters of the earth. The varying 
 condition of countries with respect to population, internal improvements, 
 boundary lines, etc., is stich as to require a constant correction of maps and 
 statistical works, to make them correct exponents of political affairs. 
 
 Questions.— Z. Wbat does tlie first part describe? To what does it also relate? 4. To 
 what does the second part rchite ? 5. Of what does the third part treat ? What does it 
 describe ? 6. To what does the fourth part relate ? What does it describe ? 7. What is 
 said of the fects of Physical Geography ? lEustrate. Varying condition of countries ? 
 
INTKODUCTION. 6 
 
 i 
 
 8. Such fluctuations do not belong to the science of Physical Geography. 
 The grand and majestic features which God has impressed on the face of 
 our globe — its continents and oceans — its mountains, valleys, rivers, and 
 lakes, — remain now, with all their prominent characteristics, very nearly 
 the same as they have existed for centuries past. 
 
 9. It is true that natural agencies are at work, changing to a limited ex- 
 tent the face of nature. Volcanic action has rent tlie crust of the eartla in 
 numerous places, raising some portions and depressing otliers ; some rivurs 
 have worked new channels, and formed extensive deltas at their mouths ; 
 and, as in Holland, vast areas of land have been rescued from the ocean by 
 embankments and artificial modes of drainage. These and other alterations, 
 considerable as they may appear, are comparatively unimportant as regards 
 the world at large, and scarcely serve to qualify the remark, that the phys- 
 ical aspect of the earth has not greatly changed in modern times. 
 
 10'. From what is here observed, it must not be inferred that the earth 
 has not been the scene of mighty convulsions. An examination of its sur- 
 face shows that at very early periods important changes successively took 
 place. To explain those changes, and the causes which have led to the 
 present state or condition of the earth, belongs properly to the science of 
 Geology. 
 
 11. Physical Geography explains many interesting facts of Civil Geog- 
 raphy. It shows where nature has provided for the growth of cities, the - 
 peopling of states, the construction of railroads, canals, and other works of 
 internal improvement ; it points out what courses on the ocean the mariner 
 must pursue to avail himself of its favoring winds and currents ; and ex- 
 plains what pursuits are best adapted to the people of different countries. 
 The influence of mountains, rivers, seas, climate, and natural productions 
 on the industry of a people and the progress of nations is so great, that it 
 is impossible for one to acquire a thorough knowledge of general geographyr 
 without first understanding the facts and principles of Physical Geography 
 
 Questions.— 8. Do such fluctuations belong to the science of Physical Geography ? 9. 
 How are certain changes of the earth's surface produced? What is observed of thest 
 alterations ? 10. What does an examination of the earth's surface show ? What belongs 
 to the science of Geology? 11. Why is a knowledge of Physical Geography important? 
 
PART L 
 
 THE LAND 
 
 LESSON I. 
 
 EXTENT AND DISTRIBUTION. 
 
 HE surface of the earth con- 
 sists of uneqiial portions of land 
 and water. It has been efti- 
 mated to contain about 196,500,- 
 ft 000 English square miles. Of 
 Jjthis area, the dry land is sup- 
 posed to occupy about 51,000,- 
 ^y 000 of square miles. Hence it 
 will be seen that the fluid por- 
 tion predominates over the solid 
 in the ratio of about 285 to 100. 
 The exact extent of each division can not be ascertained, owing 
 to the north and south polar regions not having been fully ex- 
 plored. 
 
 13. There is but little regularity in the arrangement of the 
 land upon the globe. In some parts the coast is indented by 
 deep bays and gidfs, in others the land projects into the ocean 
 in capes and promontories, while the islands are scatteied 
 throughout the ocean, either singly or in irregular groups. 
 
 14. The distribution of the land is very unequal, — ^by far the 
 greater portion being in the northern hemisphere. It has been 
 calculated that there is about three times as much land north of 
 the equator as south of it, and about two and a half times as 
 much in the eastern as in the western hemisphere. 
 
 ian-1. — 12. Of what does the surface of the earth consist? How many square miles 
 does it contain ? Square miles of the land? In what proportion does the fluid portion 
 predominate over the solid? Why can not the extent of each division be exactly ascer- 
 tained ? 13. What is said of the arrangement of the land ? Illustrate. 14. What is said 
 of the distribution of the land ? Which hemisphere conUiins the greater portion, the north- 
 ern or southern? How much more land is there in the northern than in the southern ham- 
 isphereV In the eastern than in the western? 
 
EXTENT AND DISTEIBUTION OF THE LAND. 
 
 Its distribution through the different zones is as follows : 
 
 NOKTIIERN IlEMISrHEKE. Sq. Mik'S. 
 
 Arctic Zone 2,792,000 
 
 Temperate Zone 2-4.488,000 
 
 Torrid Zone 9,949,000 
 
 Total 37,229,000 
 
 SOUTIIFRN IlBMlSPIIKr.E. ?q. Milcs. 
 
 Antarctic Zone Unknown. 
 
 Temperate Zone 3 C05,CCO 
 
 Torrid Zone 10,466, OCO 
 
 Total 13,771,000 
 
 Southern Hemisphere. Northern Hemisphere. 
 
 15. The unequal distribution of the land may be most strik- 
 ingly seen from an inspection of a map of the hemispheres, 
 projected upon the plain of the horizon of London. The hemi- 
 sphere, in which that city occupies the center, includes nearly all 
 the land on the globe, while the other is almost covered with 
 water. One may therefore be termed the continental or land 
 hemisphere ; B.nd the other, the oceanic or water hemisphere. 
 
 Water Hemisphere. 
 
 Land Hemisphere 
 
 Questions.— 15. How may the unequal distribution of the land be most strikingly seen? 
 Which hemisphere includes nearly all the land? How termed ? 
 
CONTINKNTS. 
 
 LESSON II. 
 
 CONTINENTS. 
 
 16. There are two continents, — the Eastern Continent, com- 
 prising Europe, Asia, and Africa ; and the Western Continent, or 
 New World, nicludmg Nortli and South America. '1 he Eastern 
 Continent is styled the Old World, from its being the only one 
 known to Europeans previous to the close of the fifteenth cen- 
 lury. The terms Eastern and Western refer to the meridian of 
 Ferro I.-le,* from which longitude was formerly reckoned. 
 
 17= The length of the Western Continent, from north to south, 
 IS about 8,700 miles. Its greatest width is about 3,200 miles; 
 whilo its least width, being the distance across the Isthmus of 
 Panama, is about 30 miles. 
 
 18. North America is the northern portion of the Western 
 Continent. Its greatest length from north to south is about 4,400 
 miles, and its greatest breadth about 3,100 miles. It contains an 
 area of about 8,600,000 square miles. The main body of the 
 continent may be included within a triangle, whose base extends 
 along the northern shores, and whose vertical angle is in Mexico. 
 
 19. The eastern side of North America, being penetrated by 
 numerous branches of the ocean, presents several peninsular 
 formations ; while the only important projection of the western 
 coast is that of the long peninsula of California. These in- 
 dented shores, which give to the continent a coast-line of 24,500 
 miles, or 1 mile to every 350 square miles of surface, are, with 
 numerous rivers and lakes, the means by which civilization and 
 commerce have been extended, and are now rapidly extending 
 into the interior. 
 
 20. Among the numerous indentations of the Atlantic coast, 
 south of Labrador, are the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Bay of Fundy, 
 
 Quextlonn. — 16. How many continents are there, and what countries do they respect- 
 IvPly include '' Why is tlie Eastern Continent styled the Old World ? To what do the 
 terms Eastern and Western refer? 17. Length of the "Western Continent ? Greatest 
 breadth ? Least breadth? IS. Length and breadth of North America? Area? Gen- 
 eral form of the continent? 13. What is the character of the coast-line? Extent of 
 coast-line? 20. Principal indentations of the Atlantic coast south of Labrador ? 
 
 ♦ Ferro is the most southwesterly of the Canary Islands. 
 
'I'ht' /olhf Cuj'vediLTLes.r/-(^.vj^;/?<7Mf' nater-nrr Co-ticlal lixLes, 
 'iTLcL tJie -Roman y-iuri^ral.>- .ilui.'n^'i' mpip^enl the Sour \ 
 
 orhiflh u-citer.al X,-i< S-Ful/ .M,-,,.u, nionp their course. / 
 
 •.A CFa^e^>-en 
 
 rsnr 
 
 
 
 
 It T a A T I, A -X T J ,C 
 
 ™ .. .Saila^^ic"^l Islandi 
 ^ fe Kila'ues 
 
 O C- K- .-L 
 
 
 ■otin4.j tlie -pvincipal featia 
 
 
 JCS-T3I1A1L La?i2i;. 
 
 
 
 .■^South Sh.etla.ad 
 
 
 
 
 LIST O 
 
 T.«,BLE L 
 
 'L'he -ylroiu 
 
 ZKa^VWni^s represent- the inmrntain 
 
 ■an.je.- 
 
 J/, 
 lit 
 
 /!-70/!'cr./,,„/,.«,™,...,i„, 
 
 l-'hOO 
 
 abc,csea. 
 
 their re!.', > 
 
 re hu]hl ismdun/ee/ hi ilie .--Irrrnt?, , 
 >c>/!l Ve-^er-ls are repre.fellie,i thu.f 
 
 rtlie lir, 
 
 II. 
 -l-r 
 
 i:....„...._ 
 
 ■Ji.ino 
 ciiioa 
 
 
 J,~airce.S 
 l%e Sclra. 
 
 iranuahs. i./rro.>: /rm/'a.^-S-- Steppe.:- 
 ■ o,-rore-.l pi. ,/„.:■ oT-l:he--l:„-rzon 
 
 
 -h 
 -U 
 
 t\r '.Minor 
 
 iroito 
 
 ■f.citV , 
 
 i 
 
 TheTuildri 
 
 or -Jlcu -.fh 1 - p7ams oi 'Xoi -the, yi SH'e? -la 
 
 
 -l-l 
 
 ■at/fnrroo .v .',)•,,■,, 
 
 f'X 
 
 
CONTINENTS. 7 
 
 Passamaquoddy Bay, Penobscot Bay, Massachusetts Bay, Cape 
 Cod Bay, Buzzard's Bay, Narragansett Bay, New York Bay, 
 Raritan Bay, Delaware Bay, Chesapeake Bay, Albemarle Sound, 
 Pamlico Sound, Gulf of Mexico, Bay of Honduras, etc. 
 
 21. South America is the smaller of the two divisions of the 
 Western Continent. Its greatest length from north to south is 
 about 4,600 miles ; and its greatest width, from east to west, 
 about 3,200 miles. Its area is about 6,420,000 square miles. Its 
 form is triangular. Its unbroken coast-line of 14,500 miles in 
 extent, gives only a mile of sea-coast for every 420 square miles 
 of surface, and presents few bays or harbors. 
 
 22. The slow progress of civilization in South America may be attributed 
 in a great measure to the want of bays and gulfs extending inland and 
 affording maritime advantages to its interior regions. The disadvantage of 
 its vinbrokea coast-line, however, is partly counterbalanced by the vast nav- 
 igable streams of the Orinoco, Amazon, La Plata, and their branches. 
 
 LESSON III. 
 
 CONTINENTS — [continued). 
 
 23. The Eastern Continent is the largest mass of land on the 
 globe. It extends from east to west, about 10,000 miles; and, 
 from north to south, about 8,000 miles. Its area is nearly 
 33,000,000 square miles, or two and one fourth times that of the 
 Western Continent. 
 
 24. Europe is the smallest of the five grand divisions. Its 
 greatest length from Cape St. Vincent, in the southwest, to the 
 Gulf of Kara, in the northeast, is about 3,500 miles ; its great- 
 est breadth, from North Cape to Cape Matapan, is about 2,400 
 miles. The area of its surface, including the islands, amounts to 
 about 3,500,000 square miles. 
 
 25- Europe is indented by numerous bays and seas on its 
 western and southern sides, in consequence of which the coast- 
 
 Qiiestions. — 21. What is said of South America? Greatest lenarlh ? Breadth? Area? 
 Form ? Extent of coast-line ? 22. Slow progress of civilization in South America ? What 
 compensation is there for its unbroken coast-line? 23. What is said of the Eastern Con- 
 tinent? Its length and breadth? Area? 24. What is the comparative size of Europe? 
 Its length and breadth? Area? 25. What is said of ils coast indentation? Extent of sea- 
 coast ? What is said of its peninsular character ? What large peninsulas does it embrace ? 
 
8 
 
 CONTINENTS, 
 
 line is of great extent, and in proportion larger than that of any 
 other of the grand divisions. Its line of shores extends 17,000 
 miles ; it therefore enjoys a mile of coast-line for every 156 square 
 miles of surface, thus possessing great facilities for commercial 
 enterprise. Europe is essentially the region of peninsular for- 
 mations : it embraces the Scandinavian Peninsula (Norway and 
 Sweden) ; the Peninsula of Denmark; the Peninsula of Spain and 
 Portugal ; and the Peninsulas of Italy and Greece. 
 
 26. Asia is the largest of the grand divisions of the earth. 
 Its greatest length, from east to west, is about 5,600 miles ; and 
 its greatest breadth, from north to south, about 5,300 miles. It 
 contains an area of nearly 17,500,000 square miles, or consider- 
 ably more than are comprised in both North and South America. 
 It has a coast-line of 30,800 miles, giving it, exclusive of the 
 Arctic Ocean which is scarcely navigable, only 1 male of sea- 
 coast for every 459 miles of surface. 
 
 27. Africa, like South America, is a vast peninsula, being en- 
 tirely surrounded by the waters of the ocean, except at the Isth- 
 mus of Suez, by which it is connected with Asia. Its greatest 
 length, from north to south, is about 5,600 miles ; and its greatest 
 breadth, from east to west, about 4,700 miles. Its approximate 
 area is 11,300,000 square miles. In consequence of its peculiar 
 form, with no considerable peninsulas or sea indentations, its 
 coast-line is only 14,000 miles, or 1 mile of sea-coast for every 
 623 square miles of surface. On this account, it is the most in- 
 accessible, least civilized, and least known to civilized nations. 
 
 28. The following table exhibits the superficial extent of each continent 
 in English square miles, together with the length of coast-line possessed 
 by each (in English miles), and the proportion which tlie latter of these 
 measures bears to the former : 
 
 
 Surface. 
 
 Coast-line. 
 
 Square Miles 
 'if Surface for 1 
 Mile of Coast. 
 
 North America 
 
 8,600,000 
 
 6,420,000 
 
 3,500,000 
 
 17,500,000 
 
 11,800,000 
 
 24,500 
 14,500 
 17,000 
 80,800 
 14,000 
 
 850 
 420 
 156 
 
 459 
 623 
 
 Soutli America 
 
 Europe 
 
 Asia 
 
 Africa 
 
 $i<esiio«s.— 36. Comparative extent of Asia? Its lenstth and breadth? Area? Coast- 
 line? 2T. WhatissaiU oiA&ica? lis lengtk and breadth ? Area? Extent of coast-liae ? 
 
CONTINENTS. V 
 
 GENERAL REMARKS ON THE CONTINENTS. 
 
 29. If we examine the map of the world, we shall notice sev- 
 ral features of similarity between the two continents. (1.) Each 
 expands into broad, extensive flats toward the north ; Avhile, 
 toward the south, they narrow down to points, offering a rude re- 
 semblance to an inverted pyramid. 
 
 30. (2.) Both attain their greatest breadth near the parallel of 
 50° N., and are cut off by the ocean at about latitude 70°. 
 
 31. (3.) Each has a large portion of its area nearly detached ; 
 South Americabeirig joined to North America by the Isthmus of 
 Panama, about 30 miles broad ; and Africa being connected with 
 Asia by the Isthmus of Suez, about 75 miles broad. 
 
 32. (4.) The peninsulas of both coiitinents follow a southerly 
 direction — as Scandinavia (embracing Sweden and Norway), 
 Spain, Italy, Greece, Africa, Arabia, India, Malacca, Cambodia, 
 Corea, and Kamtschatka, in the one ; and South America, Ciili- 
 fornia, Florida, and Alaska, in the other. There are two import- 
 ant exceptions to this rule; the peninsula of Yucatan, in Central 
 America, and of Denmark, in Europe, both of which project 
 toward the north. 
 
 33. The great point of dissimilarity between the Eastern Con- 
 tinent and the Western, is in the prevailing direction of the land 
 which extends from east to west in the former, and from north to 
 south in the latter. 
 
 34. Comparing the western shores of Europe and Africa with 
 the eastern shores of North and South America, a mutual adapt- 
 ation to unite may be observed in the advancing and retreating 
 shape of the land. Thus, the great convexity of Western Africa 
 is opposite the indentation of the Gulf of Mexico ; and the con- 
 vexity of the Brazilian shore is opposite the Gulf of Guinea. 
 From this peculiar outline, the idea has been entertained that the 
 two continents once formed an undivided territory which some 
 great convulsion separated. 
 
 Questions.— 29. What may be noticed by examining a map of the world ? "What is the 
 first feature of similarity mentioned? 80. What is the second? 81. What the third? 
 82. The fourth ? What exceptions are there to the fourth remark ? S8. What is the great 
 point of dissimilarity between the Eastern and Western continents ? 34. What may be 
 observed by comparing the western shores of Europe and Asia with the eastern shiwei 
 of Kortli and South America ? 
 
 .1* 
 
10 
 
 ISLANDS 
 
 LESSON IV. 
 
 ISLANDS. 
 
 35. Islands differ vastly in size, some being miniature conti- 
 nents, with systems of mountains, rivers, and lakes ; while others 
 arc mere banks of sand or points of rock just raised above the 
 level of the waves. The largest island in the world is Australia. 
 It is 2,400 miles from east to west, 1,700 miles from north to 
 south, and contains an area of nearly 3,000,000 square miles. 
 Its extent of coast-line is about 8,000 miles. 
 
 36. The following table exhibits the area of some of the largest islands, 
 and their relative size, as compared with the area of the State of New York 
 which is 46,220 square miles. 
 
 Name. 
 
 Area in Square 
 
 Miles. 
 
 Comp;ir:i- 
 tive bize. 
 
 STATE OF KEW YOIili 
 
 4(J,220 
 
 80,000 
 32,515 
 36,000 
 43,000 
 
 83,827 
 120,000 
 
 200,000 
 
 200,000 
 
 270.000 
 
 3,000,000 
 
 I'OO 
 
 •65 
 •70 
 
 •78 
 •90 
 
 1-82 
 2-59 
 4-33 
 4-33 
 5-08 
 64-81 
 
 Iceland ._ 
 
 Ireland , . 
 
 Newfoundland 
 
 Cuba 
 
 Great Britain, including England, Wales, and 
 Scotland 
 
 
 
 Madagascar 
 
 Borneo ... 
 
 Australia 
 
 37. Of the small islands, the most remarkable is Rockall, in 
 the North Atlantic. It is only a hundred yards in circumference, 
 and is situated 260 miles from the north coast of Ireland, and 180 
 miles from any other land. 
 
 38. Islands occur under various conditions, in chains, clusters, 
 archipelagoes, or singly. 
 
 39. The principal chains are adjacent to some main shore ; and, 
 on this account, they are sometimes termed continental islands. 
 They are long in proportion to their breadth, and follow each other, 
 in succession, along the margin of the continents. America offers 
 
 Queitions.-So. How do islands differ ? The largest island and its extent ? 86. What 
 is the area of Iceland, and what its re:'atiye size as compared with the State of New Tork ? 
 Ireland? Newfoundland? Cnha? Great Britain? Sumatra? Papua, or New Guinea? 
 Iiladagascar ? Borneo ? Australia ? ST. Give particulars of the island of Eockall ? 38. Un- 
 der what various conditions do islands occur ? 39. Where are the principal chains ? Shape 
 and arrangement ? What chains belocgimg to Amearica are mentioned ? Ottier Instances ? 
 
ISLANDS. 
 
 11 
 
 numerous examples of this kind of islands. On the northwestern 
 coast there is a long chain of them, beginning, on the south, with 
 Vancouver's Island. Another range occurs at the southern ex- 
 tremity of South America, extending from Chiloe to Cape Horn. 
 To this class, also, belong the Aleutian Isles which form a chain 
 between North America and Asia, in the North Pacific ; and the 
 Kurile and Japan Isles, stretching along the eastern Asiatic coast. 
 
 40. Clusters, sometimes called oceanic islands, are those which 
 occur at a distance from continents. They are very numerous in 
 the Pacific and Indian oceans. They usually contain one or two 
 principal members centrally situated with reference to others of 
 smaller size; as, for example, the Marquesas and Society groups. 
 
 41. An archipelago is a sea interspersed with numerous islands. 
 The term archipelago was originally applied to those islands 
 which lie between the shores of Greece and Asia Minor. The 
 principal archipelagoes are the Caribbean, or Antilles, in the West 
 Indies ; the Maldive and Laccadive, in the Indian Ocean ; the 
 Dangerous, Louisiade, and Great Cyclades, in the Pacific Ocean. 
 
 42. Single islands, at a great distance from any other shore, 
 are of rare occurrence. St. Helena, remarkable for being the 
 
 St. Helena. 
 
 place of Napoleon's last exile, is 1,800 miles from the coast of 
 Brazil, 1,200 from the coast of Africa, and 680 from Ascension 
 
 Questions — 40. What are clusters? Where numerous ? How usually arranged ? Exam- 
 ples? 41. What is an archipelago? How originally applied ? Principal archipelagoes? 
 42. What is said of single islands? St. Helena? Ascension Island? 
 
12 
 
 VOLCAMIO ISLANDS. 
 
 Island, the nearest point of land. Ascension Island is also 520 
 miles from its next neighbor, the Isle of St. Matthew. 
 
 43. A vast number of islands are volcanic. Some are at pres- 
 ent the scenes of fiery convulsions. Volcanic islands are found 
 principally in the Indian and Pacific oceans, though some occur 
 in high northern and southern latitudes. They are characterized 
 by a considerable elevation, with a precipitous coast. 
 
 44. In the Grecian Archipelago, the Old Kaimeni, a small islet, 
 was thrown up somewhat more than two centuries before the 
 Christian era. A second appeared in the year 1573, called the 
 Little Kaimeni, and a third was formed in the year 1707, called 
 the New Kaimeni. 
 
 45. In the year ] 811, the temporary island of Sabrina rose off 
 the coast of St. Michael, one of the Azores. It attained the height 
 of 300 feet, was about a mile in circumference, but gradually 
 subsided, and wholly disappeared by the close of February, 1812. 
 In 1813, there were five hundred feet of water at the spot. 
 
 46. The most re- 
 cent instance of an 
 island formed by vol- 
 canic action was 
 Graham Island, which 
 rose in the Mediter- 
 ranean Sea, south- 
 west of Sicily, in July, 
 1831. A column of 
 water was seen rising 
 from the sea like a 
 water-spout, followed 
 by dense steam and 
 an island which gain- 
 ed the height of 200 
 Graham Island. feet, and a Circumfer- 
 
 ence of three miles. Toward the close of the year, this island 
 gradually sank beneath the waves, forming a dangerous shoal. 
 
 Questions. — 43. What is said of volcanic islands'/ Where principally found? How 
 characterized? 44. What volcanic islands were formed in the Grecian Archipelago? 45! 
 Give the particulars of the formation and disappearance of the island of Sabrina. 46. Of 
 Graham Island, 
 
 
OOBAL ISLANDS. 13 
 
 LESSON V. 
 
 CORAL ISLANDS. ' 
 
 47. A VAST number of islands and reefs* in the Pacific and 
 Indian oceans are of coral formation. They owe their existence 
 to the work of countless myriads of the coral-insect which inhabif; 
 those seas, and which flourish only in the warmer regions of the 
 globe. 
 
 48. Coralline structures are sometimes of immense extent. On 
 the northeast coast of Australia is a reef of coral called the Great 
 Barrier Reef, having a length of nearly 1,000 miles, and being, 
 in one part, unbroken for a distance of 350 miles. Some groups 
 of coral islands in the Pacific are from 1,100 to 1,200 miles in 
 length, by 300 or 400 in breadth ; as, for examples, the Danger- 
 ous and Radack archipelagoes. The Maldive Islands, situated in 
 the Indian Ocean, forming a chain of 470 geographical miles, are 
 composed throughout of a series of circular assemblages of islets, 
 all formed of coral. 
 
 49. The following description of coral animals and their operations is 
 from Hughes' " Manual of Geography :" " The coral reefs of the Pacific, as 
 well as those in other parts of the globe, are all produced by the secretions 
 of the coral-insect, and the process by which they are formed is one of the 
 most curious and instructive phenomena which the natural world presents 
 to view. The architects of these wonderful structures are polypes of minute 
 size, and of various species, but all possessing a general similarity of form 
 and structure. They consist, to appearance, of a little oblong bag of jelly, 
 closed at one end, but having the other extremity open, and surrounded by 
 tentacles (usually six or eight in number), set like the rays of a star. 
 
 50. " Multitudes of these tiny creatures are associated in the secretion 
 of a common stony skeleton, that is, the coral, or madrepore, in the minute 
 orifices of which they reside ; protruding their mouths and tentacles when 
 under water, but the moment they are molested, or become exposed to the 
 atmosphere, withdrawing by sudden contraction into their holes. It is 
 proved by observation that these creatures are unable to exist at a greater 
 
 Questions. — 47. Islands and reefs in the Indian and Pacific oceans? To what owing? 
 43. Extent of coralline structures ? Great Barrier Beef? Groups in the Indian and Pacific 
 oceans? Examples? Maldive Islands? 49. Coral reefs, how formed? Architects of 
 these wonderful structures? Of what do they consist? 50. Describe the operations of the 
 coral insects. To what depth do they exist? Upon what must coral islands be based? 
 
 ♦ Ebbt, a chain or range of rocks lying at or near the surface of the water. 
 
14 COKAL ISLANDS. 
 
 depth than twenty or thirty fathoms ; so that the numberless coral islands 
 of the Pacific, and other seas, must be based upon submarine rocks, or mount- 
 ains, though it was at one time supposed that they were raised, by the pro- 
 cess described above, from the bottom of the sea." 
 
 51. Coral formations are of four different kinds ; namely, atolls 
 or lagoon islands, encircling" reefs, barrier-reefs, and coral fringes. 
 
 52. An atoll consists of a circular strip or ring of coral sur- 
 rounding a shallow lake or lagoon in its center. The circular 
 reefs raise themselves just above the level of the sea, with an 
 average breadth of a quarter of a mile, oftener less, and are sur- 
 rounded by a deep and often unfathomable ocean. The annexed 
 cut represents one of these circular islands inclosing a lagoon of 
 tranquil water. 
 
 
 ■ - v.^ 
 
 
 Coral Island. 
 
 The usual form of such islands may be seen in the section 
 below. 
 
 W/w/// /// y ^ &jjM Ai 
 
 Section of a Coral Island. 
 
 a, a, Habitable part of the island, consisting of a strip of coral, inclosing 
 a lagoon, h, b. The lagoon. 
 
 53. Lagoons are found in a very large proportion of the coral 
 islands. They were found in twenty-nine out of the thirty-two 
 
 Questions. — 51. Kinds of coral formations ? 52. The atoll I" What does it surround 1 
 Height of the circular reef? Breadth ? How surrounded ? 53. Lagoons ? Lagoons found 
 by Beechey ? Their extent ? Openings inta lagoons 1 
 
CORAL ISLANDS. 15 
 
 islands visited by Beechey, in his voyage to the Pacific. The 
 largest was thirty miles in diameter, and the smallest less than a 
 mile. There is almost always a deep narrow passage opening 
 into the lagoon, generally on the leeward side, which is kept open 
 by the efflux of the sea, as the tide goes down ; and, through this 
 channel, ships may sail into the inclosed waters, and find a good 
 harbor. 
 
 54. Encircling-reefs are those which extend around mountain- 
 ous islands, commonly at a distance of two or three miles from 
 the shore, rising on the outside from a very deep ocean, and sep- 
 arated from the land by a channel 200 or 300 feet deep. The 
 Caroline Archipelago exhibits examples of this structure. Otaheite 
 (Tahiti), the largest of the Society group, is an instance of an en- 
 circled island of the most beautiful kind, being hemmed in from 
 the ocean by a coral band, at a distance varying from half a mile 
 to three miles. 
 
 55. Barrier-reefs are similar in their structure to the two pre- 
 ceding classes, but differ from them in their position with regard 
 to the land. The largest of this class is the Great Barrier Reef 
 off" the northeast coast of Australia, before alluded to (48). It 
 rises up in the ocean at an average distance of from 20 to 30 
 miles from the shore, and extends to the distance of about 1,000 
 miles. 
 
 56. The action of the waves as they dash upon this reef has been admi- 
 rably described: "The long ocean-swell being suddenly impeded by this 
 barrier, lifted itself in one great continuous ridge of deep blue water, which, 
 curling over, fell on the edge of the reef in an unbroken cataract of dazzling 
 white foam. Each line of breaker ran often one or two miles in length with 
 not a perceptible gap in its continuity. There was a simple grandeur, a 
 display of power and beauty in this scene, that rose even to sublimity. The 
 unbroken roar of the surf, with its regular pulsation of thunder, as each 
 succeeding swell fell first on the outer edge of the reef, was almost deafening, 
 yet so deep-toned as not to interfere with the slightest nearer and sharper 
 sound But the sound and sight were such as to impress the spec- 
 tator with the consciousness of standing in the presence of an overwhelm- 
 ing majesty and power." 
 
 57. The Florida reefs are of this class. By examining a map 
 
 Questions.— iA. Encircling-reefs? Example? Otaheite? 55. Barrier-reefs? The 
 largest of this class? 56. Describe the appearance of this reef. 57. To what class do the 
 Florida reefs belong? Island south of Florida? The height? Where do they begin 
 and where extend ? Their size ? 
 
16 CORAL ISLANDS. 
 
 of the waters south of Florida, it will be seen that they are stud- 
 ded with a range of islands called the Florida Keys. These keys 
 rise but a few feet, perhaps from six to eight or ten, or at the ut- 
 most to twelve or thirteen feet above the level of the sea. They 
 begin to the north of Cape Florida, and extend in a southwesterly 
 direction, gradually receding from the land until opposite Cape 
 Sable. Farther to the west they project in a more westerly 
 course as far as the Tortugas Islands which form the most western 
 f group. The largest of these islands, such as Key West and Key 
 Largo, are not more than ten or fifteen miles in length ; others do 
 not exceed two or three miles ; and many are not more than a mile 
 long. Their width varies from a quarter to a third or half a mile, 
 the largest barely measuring a mile across. 
 
 58. The reef extends parallel to the main range of keys, for a 
 few miles south or southeast of it, following the same curve, and 
 never receding many miles from it. The distance between the 
 reef and the main range of keys varies from six to two or three 
 miles. Between this reef and the main range of keys, there is 
 a broad, navigable channel, extending the whole length of the 
 reef, varymg in depth from eighteen to forty feet. 
 
 59. The great danger of this reef arises from the fact that 
 throughout its whole range it does not reach the surface of the 
 sea, except in a few points, where it comes almost to the level of 
 low-water mark. It therefore presents a range of dangei-ous shoal 
 grounds, upon which thousands of vessels, and millions of prop- 
 erty, have been v/recked. 
 
 60. Coral-fringes are those formations which extend along the 
 margin cf a shore, and have no lagoons. 
 
 61. Captain Basil Hall, in his " Voj^age to Loo-Clioo," makes the following 
 observations on coral islands : " The examination of a coral reef during the 
 different stages of one tide is particularly interesting. When the sea has 
 left it for some time, it becomes dry, and appears to be a compact rock ex- 
 ceedingly hard and ragged ; but no sooner does the tide rise again, and the 
 waves begin to wasii over it, than millions of coral worms protrude them- 
 selves from holes on the surface which were before quite invisible. These 
 animals are of a great variety of sliapes and size^, and in such prodigious 
 numbers, that in a short time the whole surface of the rock appears to be 
 alive and in motion. 
 
 Queidwns. — 5S, Where does the reef extend ? Distance between the reef and the main 
 range of kpys? Channel? 59. Danger of this reef? \'essels and property destroyed? 
 60. Coral-friages ? 
 
COEAL ISLANDS. 17 
 
 62. " The most common of the worms at Loo-Choo (an island in the Pacific 
 east of China), was in the form of a star, with arms from four to six inches 
 lonw, which it moved about with a rapid motion in all directions, probably 
 in search of food. Others were so sluggish, that they were often mistaken 
 for pieces of the rock ; these were generally of a dark color, and from four 
 to five inches long and two or three round. When the rock was broken from 
 a spot near the level of high water, it was found to be a hard solid ston« ; 
 but if any part of it were detached at a level to which the tide reached 
 every day, it was discovered to be full of worms, all of different lengths and 
 colors, some being as fine as thread and several feet long, generally of a 
 very bright yellow, and sometimes of a blue color ; while others resembled 
 snails, and some were not unlike lobsters and prawns in shape, but soft, and 
 not above two inches long. 
 
 63. " The growth of coral ceases when the worm which creates it is no 
 longer exposed to the washing of the tide. Thus a reef rises in the foi'm of 
 a gigantic cauliflower, till its top has gained the level of the highest tides, 
 above which the worm has no power to carry its operations, and the reef, 
 consequently, no longer extends itself upward. The surrounding parts, 
 however, advance in succession till they reach the surface, where they also 
 must stop. Thus, as the level of the highest tide is the eventual limit to 
 every part of the reef, a horizontal field comes to be formed coincident with 
 that plane, and perpendicular on all sides. The reef, however, continually 
 increases, and being prevented from going higher, must extend itself lat- 
 erally in all directions ; and this growth being probably as rapid at the 
 upper edge as it is lower down, the steepness of the face of the reef is pre- 
 served ; and it is this circumstance which renders this species of rock so 
 dangerous to navigation. In the first place, they are seldom seen above the 
 water ; and in the next, their sides are so abrupt that a ship's bows may 
 strike against the rock before any change of soundings indicates the ap- 
 proach of danger. 
 
 64. " For a long time it was supposed that the coral formations were rais- 
 ed from the floor of the fathomless ocean by the unaided efforts of these 
 little creatures, but more accurate observations have proved that the ani- 
 mals cease to live at a greater depth than twenty or thirty fathoms 
 
 As some of these islands are elevated 200 and 300 feet above the sea-level, 
 it is evident that they must have been raised by submarine forces; in short, 
 that the volcano and the earthquake must have been employed in rearing 
 them to their present elevation. Mr. Darwin has traced those regions 
 throughout the Pacific, in which upheaval and depression alternately pre- 
 vail. Thus a band of atolls and encircled islands, including the Dangerous 
 and Society archipelagoes, constitvites an area of subsidence more than 4,000 
 miles long and 600 broad. To the westward, the chain oi frmging-reefs, 
 embracing the islands of the New Hebrides, Solomon, and New Ii-eland, 
 form an area of elevated coral. Farther westward, another area of subsi- 
 dence is met with, including the islands of New Caledonia, and the Aus- 
 tralian barrier." 
 
18 
 
 MOUNTAINS. 
 
 LESSON VI. 
 
 MOUNTAINS. 
 
 Climbing the Alps. 
 
 65. Mountains are the 
 most considerable elevations 
 of the surface of the earth. 
 They are of various, heights, 
 the loftiest having an elevation 
 of more than five miles above 
 the level of the sea. Thouah 
 
 generally sterile, and unsuited for the residence of man, they 
 have their uses in the economy of nature. They accumulate 
 the moisture of the cloiids, and feed the rivers which w^ater and 
 fertilize the plains below. They increase the extent of the earth's 
 surface, and impart an agreeable effect to its scenery. Their 
 gigantic proportions, their lofty summits, their broken and irreg- 
 ular outlines, are eminently calculated to excite in us emotions of 
 awe and admiration. 
 
 Questions.— 65. What are mountains ? What is said of their heights ? CTsea of meant' 
 ains? 
 
MOUNTAINS. 19 
 
 66. There are but few insulated mountains, or mountains re- 
 mote from other masses, and ascending abruptly from a level 
 country. The examples are chiefly volcanic, as Mount Egmont, 
 in New Zealand, and the Peak of Teneritfe, on one of the Canary 
 Islands. The usual arrangement is in groups or chains, the 
 members of which are connected at the base. The term system 
 is applied to a series of chains, groups, and parallel ranges lying 
 in the same general direction, though detached. The highest 
 points are usually near the middle of the range. 
 
 67. The great mountain systems of the two continents follow 
 the prevailing direction of the land in each ; those of the western 
 world running north and south ; those of the eastern, east and 
 west. The course of secondary chains, as the Apennines in 
 Italy, the Dovre-field in Norway, and the Ghauts in India, corre- 
 spond with the greatest length of those peninsulas. 
 
 68. The highest known mountain on the globe is Mount Eve- 
 rest,* in Asia. It belongs to the Himalaya range, and is situated 
 in longitude 87° east. Its summit" is 29,002 feet above the level 
 of the sea. Situated in the same range, about 100 miles to the 
 east of Mount Everest, is Kunchinjinga, next in height (28,156 
 feet), and which was, till very recently, regarded as being the 
 highest mountain on the globe. The loftiest mountain in South 
 America is Tupungato,t one of the Chilean Andes (22,456 ft.) ; 
 in North America, Mount St. Elias, one of the Rocky Mountains 
 (17,900 ft.); in Africa, Mount Kiliraandjaro (supposed 20,000 ft.); 
 and, in Europe, Mont Blanc (15,760 ft.). 
 
 69. The mountains of the t9rrid zone are inhabitable by man 
 to a very considerable height. Under the equator, the line of 
 perpetual snow is not less than 16,000 feet above the level of the 
 sea. As we approach the poles, this line gradually descends, 
 
 Questions. — 66. Insulated mountains ? Examples ? What is the usual arrangement of 
 mountains ? To what is the term system applied ? 67. Direction of the great mountain 
 systems of the two continents ? Course of the secondary chains ? 6S. The highest known 
 mountain, its situation and height? Kunchinjinga? Name and height of the loftiest 
 mountain in South America ? In North America ? In Africa? In Europe? 69. Hab- 
 itation of mountains in the torrid zone ? The line of perpetual snow under the equator ? 
 Toward the poles ? 
 
 * The altitudes of Mount Everest and Kunchinjinga, as above stated, are according to 
 the late report of Col. Waugh, Surveyor-General of the British East In>'ies. The same 
 report also reduces the height of Dhawlagiri, formerly given at 28,073, to 26,826 ft.— [Ed.] 
 
 t Aconcagua, whose ahitude was formerly given at 23,944 feet, has been ascertained 
 to bo only 22,301 feet high.— [Editoe.] 
 
20 
 
 MOUNTAINS, 
 
 rendering the mountains of the temperate zones uninhabitable to 
 a very considerable elevation. On Mont Blanc, the snow-line is 
 about 8,500 feet above the sea-level ; and, at the height of 6,000 
 feet, the climate is of very great severity. 
 
 
 
 
 70. Table of the heights above the 
 Feet, 
 
 Geneva, Switzerland 1 .450 
 
 Madrid, Spain 2,170 
 
 Jerusalem, Mount Zion 2,200 
 
 Priory of Chamouni, Switzer- 
 land 3,846 
 
 Palace of the Escurial, Spain 3,520 
 
 Teheran, Persia 3,785 
 
 Ispahan, do 4,140 
 
 Great Salt Lake City, U. S. . 4,300 
 
 Mount Egmont. 
 
 sea of some remarkable inhabited 
 
 Ilampelbaude, highest inhab- 
 ited house of Prussia 
 
 Pplugen, village, Switzerland 
 
 Mont Louis, Eastern Pyren- 
 ees, highest town of France 
 
 Cabool, Afghanistan 
 
 Post-house on Mont Cenis, 
 Alps 
 
 Hospital of St. Gothard, Alps 
 
 sites. 
 Feet 
 
 4,300 
 4,711 
 
 5,171 
 6,380 
 
 6,453 
 6,808 
 
 ^««rfiOT!.9.— 70. Height of Geneva? Madrid? Jerusalem? Great Salt Lake City T 
 Mexico? Santa F6 de Bogota? Sucre? Quito? Potosi? Shepherds' huts, Ecuador* 
 The post-house, Eumihausi, Peru ? 
 
MOUNTAINS. 
 
 ^1 
 
 Feet. 
 
 Bcglio, villnge in the Orisons, 
 
 highest village in Europe . 6,714 
 
 Mexico, city 7,570 
 
 Arequipa, city, Peru 7,852 
 
 Hospital of the Great St. Ber- 
 nard, Alps 8,170 
 
 Santa Fe de Bogota, capital 
 of New Granada 8,650 
 
 Sucre, capital of Bolivia 9,250 
 
 Pass of Santa Maria, Alps, 
 highest permanent habita- 
 tion in Europe 9,272 
 
 71. The summits of the loftiest mountains have never been 
 reached. The difficulties encountered in ascending elevated 
 mountains arise from the precipitous character of the surface, the 
 vast accumulations of snow, the intense cold, and the rarity or 
 thinness of the atmosphere. Travelers have found the rarefied 
 state of the atmosphere on high mountains to cause bleeding 
 from the nose and eyes, and to produce other unpleasant effects. 
 
 72. In the following list, are given some remarkable heights which have 
 been reached : 
 
 Feet 
 
 Qiito, capital of Ecuador... 9,540 
 
 Ladak, city. Little Tibet 9,995 
 
 Cuzco, ancient capital of Peru 11,380 
 
 Milum, village, Himalaya. .. 11,405 
 
 La Paz, city, Bolivia 12,226 
 
 Puno, city, Peru 12,870 
 
 Potosi, Bolivia, highest city 
 
 of the globe 13,350 
 
 Antisana, shepherds' huts, 
 
 Ecuador 13,454 
 
 Tacora, village, Peru 13,690 
 
 Rumihausi, post-house, ditto 15,540 
 
 Sites. 
 
 Mont Blanc, Alps 
 
 Jungfrau, do 
 
 Ortler Spitz, do 
 
 Peak of Demavend 
 
 Ararat 
 
 Pamir, Central Asia 
 
 Peter Botte, Mauritius 
 
 Mauna Kea, Owhyhee 
 
 Mount Egmont, New Zealand. 
 
 Silla de Caracas 
 
 Pichincha, Andes 
 
 Chimborazo, do., point reach- \ 
 ed, highest point of the > 
 globe ever attained by man ' 
 
 Names. 
 
 .Dr. Paccard and James Balma . 
 
 • The brothers Meyer, of Aran 
 
 Three peasants of the Tyrol 
 
 Mr. Taylor Thompson, 1st European 
 Professor Parrot, and 5 attendants.. 
 
 Lieutenant John Wood 
 
 Captain Lloyd and ofBcers 
 
 Mr. David Douglas 
 
 , Dr. Dieflfenbaeh 
 
 Humboldt and Bonpland 
 
 Bouguer and Condamino 
 
 M. Boussinganlt and Colonel Hall. . 
 
 Dates. Fel<hta. 
 
 Aug.,lT86 15,760 
 
 ISU 12,S72 
 
 1804 12,818 
 
 .Sept. 9,1837.-14,695 
 .Oct. 9, 18!29.. 17,823 
 Feb. 19, 1S3S.. 15,600 
 Sept. 7,1832.. 2,800 
 
 Jan., 1834 13,!587 
 
 Dec, 1840 8,839 
 
 Jan., 1800 8,633 
 
 1736 15,924 
 
 1S31 19,699 
 
 Questions. — 71. What is said of heights attained by adventurous travelers ? The diffi- 
 culty of ascending elevated mountains? 72. Name the heights reached on the following 
 mountains, and by whom : Mont Blanc, Jungfrau, Ortler Spitz, Peak of Demavend, Ara- 
 rat, Pamir, Peter Botte, Mauna Kea, Mount Egmont, Silla de Caracas, Pichincha, Chim- 
 >oruo. 
 
22 
 
 NOKTH AMERICAN MOUNTAINS. 
 
 LESSON VII. 
 THE MOUNTAIN SYSTEMS OF THE WESTERN CONTINENT. 
 
 73. North American Mountains. — North America contains 
 three great mountain systems, — the Rocky Mountains, the mount- 
 ains of the West Coast, and the Apalachian system. It em- 
 braces, besides, the elevated regions of the Ozark Mountains, the 
 highlands of Labrador and the Arctic coast, and the upland plains, 
 or plateaus, of Mexico. 
 
 -^_^ 74. The Rocky 
 
 ^ — "~ ~ _~ Mountains constitute 
 
 the most extensive 
 mountain system of 
 North America. They 
 extend from north to 
 south through all the 
 wider part of the con- 
 tinent ; or from the 
 shores of the Arctic 
 Ocean on the north 
 to about the parallel 
 of 32° on the south. 
 The northern portion 
 is divided into numerous ranges, with a general elevation of 
 from one to two thousand feet. As they advance southward, 
 their height increases, and many of their summits rise above the 
 snow-line. They attain the most considerable elevations be- 
 tween the 55th and 38th parallels. The average heights be- 
 tween these limits is from seven to eight thousand feet. The 
 highest summits of the system are Mount Brown (15,960 ft.), 
 and Mount Hooker (15,700 ft.), both near the line of the 52d 
 parallel. 
 
 Kocky Mountain Scenery. 
 
 Questions. — 73. What three great mduntain systems does North America contain ? What 
 other elevated regions docs it embrace ? 74. What is said of the Rocky Mountains ? Where 
 do they extend ? What is said of the northern portion ? Where do they attain the most 
 considerable elevation? What is the average height between these limits? Which are 
 the highest summits of the system? 
 
NORTH AMEEICAN MOUNTAINS. 23 
 
 75. Numerous passes occur in the range of the Rocky Mount- 
 ains, the principal one of which is that known as the South Pass, 
 near the 41st parallel. It is at an altitude of more than 7,000 
 feet above the level of the sea, and affords a passage so easy of 
 access, that a wagon draAvn by horses may travel" through it. 
 Thousands of emigrants, with their cattle, every year traverse 
 this pass on their way to the valleys of the Pacific. 
 
 76. The Mountains of the West Coast extend along the Pa- 
 cific, from Cape St. Lucas to the Peninsula of Alaska. They 
 embrace the Sierra Nevada of California and the Cascade Range 
 of Oregon. Among the elevated peaks are Mount Hood, in the 
 Cascade Range (12,000 ft.) ; Mount St. Eiias, near the 60th par- 
 allel (17,900 ft.) ; and Mount Fairweathcr, near the 59th parallel 
 (14,708 ft.). The Sierra Nevada rises above the snow-line, and 
 attains a mean elevation of between seven and eight thousand 
 feet. To the west of this range, lie the gold regions of Cali- 
 fornia. 
 
 77. The Apalachian, or Alleghany, ranges constitute the third 
 great mountain system of North America. They extend along 
 the eastern side of the continent, and within the early settled 
 portion of the United States. They terminate, at the south, near 
 the 34th parallel ; and, at the north, near the shores of the Gulf 
 of St. Lawrence. This range is broken by the valley of the 
 Hudson River and Lake Champlain. The southern portion, to 
 which, alone, the term " Alleghany" is applied, consists of nu- 
 merous parallel ridges separated by longitudinal valleys. The 
 northeastern section embraces the Green Mouiitains of Vermont 
 and the White Mountains of New Hampshire. The Adirondack 
 Mountains, which extend through the northern part of New 
 York to the west of Lake Champlain, form a part of this system. 
 Intermediate between the Adirondack Mountains and the main 
 range of the Alleghanies, lie the Catskill Mountains, which are 
 
 Questions.— 16. Where is the principal pass situated ? What is said of it? 76. Where 
 do the mountains of the West Coast extend V What minor ranjces do they embrace ? 
 What peaks, their height and situation ? What is said of the Sierra Nevada ? Where do 
 the gold regions of Oalilbrnia lie? 7T. What is said of the Apalachian. or Alleghany, 
 range ? Where do they extend ? Where do they terminate at the south ? At the north ? 
 By what valley is this range broken ? What is said of the southern portion ? What mount- 
 ains does the northeastern section embrace? What is said of the Adirondack Mountains? 
 The C tskm Mountains? 
 
24 
 
 NORTH AMEEICAN MOUNTAINS. 
 
 terminated on the north by the valley of the Mohawk, and on 
 the east by the Hudson River. 
 
 
 White Mountains. 
 
 78. Tlie Apalachian range extends to a distance of 1,500 miles, 
 with an average height of from 2,500 to 3,000 feet. Among 
 the highest elevations, are Black Mountain in North Carolina, the 
 highest of the entire system (6,760 ft.) ; Mount Washington of 
 the White Mountains (6,285 ft.) ; Mount Marcyof the Adirondack 
 range, the highest in New York (5,467 ft.) ; and Mansfield 
 Mountain, the highest of the Green Mountains (4.359 ft.). 
 
 79. The Ozark Mountains are about 300 miles in length, and 
 extend from the State of Missouri, through the northwestern part 
 of Arkansas, into the Indian Territory. They vary from one to 
 two thousand feet in height. The highlands of Labrador and 
 the Arctic coast have a very broken and rugged surface, and an 
 
 Questions. — 78. What distance does the Apalachian range extend ? What is the aver- 
 «ge height? Which are among the highest summits? Give the height of each. 79. 
 The Ozarli Mountains ? What is their height ? Describe the highlands of Labrador and 
 the Aratio coast. 
 
SOUTH AMERICAN M OTTNTAINS. 25 
 
 average elevation of from one to two thousand feet. They con- 
 tain a great number of lakes, and possess a climate of intense 
 severity.. 
 
 80. The principal mountains in Mexico are isolated peaks, 
 many of which are active volcanoes. Several of them lie along 
 the line of the 19th parallel of latitude ; the more important being 
 Colima, Jorullo, Toluca, Popocatepetl, and Orizaba. 
 
 81. South American Mountains. — South America likewise 
 contains three mountain systems ; the chain of the Andes, the 
 mountains of Guiana, and the mountains of Brazil. 
 
 82. The Andes, or Cordilleras de los Andes {Chains of the 
 Andes), commence on the north near the Isthmus of Panama, and 
 run in a southerly direction to the Strait of Magellan. In the 
 south of Chile and in Patagonia, they form the coast-line ; and, at 
 the greatest distance, in about the middle of Chile, they are but 100 
 miles from the sea. Their general breadth rarely exceeds froKi 
 200 to 250 miles ; but between the 20th and 25th parallels of lat- 
 itude it is upwards of 400 miles. 
 
 83. The Andes are divided, according to the countries through 
 which they extend, into the Columbian, Peruvian, Bolivian, Chil- 
 ean, and Patagonian Andes. 
 
 84. The Columbian Andes begin at the commencement of the 
 mountainous regions on the north, and extend to the 4th degree of 
 south latitude. They have an average height of from 11,000 to 
 12,000 feet, and the highest peaks exceed 20,000 feet. The 
 most elevated of them is Chimhorazo (21,424 feet), which was 
 long supposed to be the loftiest mountain in the New World. 
 
 85. The Peruvian and Bolivian Andes extend from the 4th to 
 the 28th parallel of south latittude, and are remarkable for the 
 great number of their lofty summits, several having an altitude of 
 
 Questions. — 80. "What is said of the principal mountains in Mexico? What volcanic 
 peaks lie along the line of the 19th parallel ? 81. How many mountain systems does South 
 America contain, and how are they designated ? 82. Describe the situation of the Andes. 
 Where do they form the coast-line, and where are they at the greatest distance from the 
 coast? What is their general breadth ? Their greatest breadth ? 83. How are the Andes 
 . divided ? 84. Where are the Columbian Andes situated ? Average height ? Highest 
 peaks ? Chimborazo? 85. Between what parallels do the Peruvian and Bolivian Andes 
 extend ? For what arc they remarkable ? How high are many of the passes in this por* 
 tiou of the Andes ? 
 
 2 
 
26 ■ ETJKOPEAN MOtJNTAllirS. 
 
 more than 20,000 feet. Many of the passes, in this portion of 
 the Andes, are between 15,000 and 16,000 feet in height. 
 
 86. The Chilean Andes are remarkable for containing the high- 
 est known summit in the Western Continent — Tupungato * which 
 attains an altitude of 22,456 feet above the level of the sea. The 
 Patagonian Andes rise abruptly from the shores of the Pacific, 
 which they border, to a distance of about 1,000 miles from Cape 
 Horn to the 40th parallel of south latitude. The average height 
 of the Patagonian Andes is from 2,000 to 3,000 feet; though, in 
 some places, they attain an elevation of 9,000 feet. 
 
 87. The Mountains of Guiana extend from the River Orinoco, 
 in a southeasterly direction, nearly to the mouth of the Amazon. 
 The most westerly of these mountains are distinguished as the 
 Parime Mountains ; and the most easterly, as the Sierra Acaray. 
 Mount Maravaca, the highest summit of the system, has an ele- 
 vation of about 10,500 feet. 
 
 88. The Mountains of Brazil embrace a great extent of coun- 
 try; they lie mostly in narrow chains or ridges, the most elevated 
 summits of which appear to be less than 6,000 feet high. 
 
 LESSON VIlI. 
 
 MOUNTAIN SYSTEMS OF THE EASTERN CONTINENT. 
 
 89. European Mountains. — The continental part of Europ» 
 embraces two important mountain systems,— one in the south and 
 the other in the north, the former being by far the most extensive. 
 The Ural and Caucasus mountains, though usually classed among 
 those of Europe, form natural boundaries between Europe and 
 Asia, and therefore belong as much to one division as the other. 
 The south mountain region includes the Balkan, the Alps, the 
 
 Questions.— 86. For what are the Chilean Andes remarkable ? Tnpnngato? What if 
 said of the Patagonian Andes ? Average height ? 87. Where do the mountains of Gruians 
 extend? By what name is the most western of these mountains distinguished? The 
 eastern? 88. What is said of the mountains of Brazil ? 89. How many important moun- 
 tain systems does continental Europe embrace, and where are they situated ? What 
 fanges does the south mountain region include? Through what countries does the nortfi 
 mountain region extend? What is said of the Ural and Caucasian mountains ? 
 
 * According to the obserrafions of Lieut. Gilliss, U. S. Navy, Aconcagua, formerly re- 
 garded as the loftiest peak of the Andes is but 22,801 feet high ; thus making Tupimgatw 
 the higher by 149 feet. — [Editoe.] 
 
EUKOPEAN MOUNTAINS. 
 
 27 
 
 Carpathian Mountains, the mountains of the Spanish peninsula, 
 and the Apennines of Italy. The north mountain regions ex- 
 tend through Norway and Sweden, constituting what are some- 
 times called the Scandinavian Mountains. 
 
 90. The Balkan Mountains are situated south of the River 
 Danube, and extend from the shores of the Black Sea, in a west- 
 erly direction, through the central part of Turkey in Europe. A 
 branch leaves the main chain about the meridian of 23° east, and 
 stretches northward to the banks of the Danube ; this may be 
 called the North Balkan Mountains. South of the Balkan, are 
 three considerable branches, — the Little Balkan, the Despoto 
 Dagh, and the chain of Mount Pindus, the latter stretching through 
 the whole of the Grecian peninsula. The mountains of the 
 Balkan system have but a moderate general elevation, not ex- 
 ceeding, on an average, from 2,000 to 3,000 feet above the sea- 
 level. In some instances, however, they reach an altitude of 
 from 8,000 to 10,000 feet. 
 
 91. The Alps ex- 
 tend from about the 
 meridian of 15° east 
 longitude, in a semi- 
 circular sweep of about 
 700 miles, to the head 
 of the Gulf of Genoa. 
 Their breadth varies 
 from 100 to 130 miles. 
 They are highest in 
 the western part, where 
 the crest of the range 
 has an average eleva- 
 tion of between 8,000 
 and 9,000 feet. Mont 
 Blanc, their loftiest 
 
 View of the Alps. 
 
 summit, and the highest mountain in Europe, has an elevation of 
 
 Questions.— ^(i. Where are the Balkan Mountains situated ? What branch on the north ? 
 What branches on the south ? Heiglit of the Balkan Mountains ? 91. Describe the silua- 
 tion of the Alps. Their breadth ? Average height in the western part ? What is said of 
 Mont Blanc 1 Of numerous other summits ? What is the height of the limit of perpetual 
 enow ? What is said of the pass of Mont Cenis ? Great St. Bernard ? Mont Cervin ? 
 The great road of the Simplon ? 
 
28 
 
 EUROPEAN MOUNTAINS. 
 
 15,760 feet. Numerous summits exceed 10,000 feet in height, 
 and rise above the limit of perpetual snow, the line of which is 
 here between 8,000 and 9,000 feet above the level of the ocean. 
 The most frequented pass, that of Mont Cenis (between Savoy 
 and Piedmont), is G,770 feet above the sea. It is much more 
 steep and difficult on the Italian side than on that of Savoy. It 
 consists of a piain, 6 miles long by 4 miles wide, encircled on all 
 sides by the different eminences and ridges that form the summit 
 of this part of the chain. The surrounding heights are from 2,500 
 to 4,500 feet above the plain. The pass of the Great St. Bernard 
 
 
 
 
 > V^ -\.. 
 
 
 
 
 
 JJogs of Be. iJerniirJ.. 
 
 is 8,170 feet high; it is celebrated for the passage of the French 
 army over it in the year 1800, but more so for its hospice and saga- 
 cious dogs, employed m the rescue of travelers, benighted or en- 
 dangered by the snow- storms. The pass of Mont Cervin, farther to 
 
EUROPEAN MOUNTAINS. 29 
 
 the eastward, is 11,100 feet, and is the highest pass in Europe, 
 but is not practicable for carriages. The great road of the Sim> 
 plon, constructed by Napoleon, attains an elevation of 6,585 feet. 
 
 92. The Apennines commence near the head of the Gulf of 
 Genoa, and extend in a southeasterly direction through Italy. 
 The average height of the crest of the Apennines varies from 
 4,000 to 5,000 feet, but in the central portion of the chain sev- 
 eral summits are between 7,000 and 8,000 feet high. A volcanic 
 region extends along the west side of the Apennines between 
 the 40l;h and 43d parallels, and at its southern extremity is Mount 
 Vesuvius, 3,932 feet in height, and the only aciive volcano in 
 continental Europe. 
 
 93. The Carpathian Mountains are situated to the north of 
 the river Danube. The higher portions have an elevation of 
 between 5,000 and 6,000 feet. A number of peaks, however^ 
 exceed 8,000 feet. The Carpathians are, in general, exceedingly 
 rugged, and the passes through them narrow and difficult. To 
 the west of the 18th meridian are several ranges encompassing 
 the plains of Bohemia, sometimes known as the Ilercynian 
 Mountains, having an average elevation of from 2,000 to 3,000 
 feet. The range on the north of Bohem.ia is called the Erz Gc-' 
 birg, a word signifying '• ore mountains." 
 
 94. The mountains of the Spanish peninsula consist of {he 
 Pyrenees and the Cantabrian Mountains in the north ; (he Cas- 
 tilian Mountains, the Mountains of Toledo, the range of the Si- 
 erra Morena, which extend in nearly parallel courses through the 
 central part ; and the range of the Sierra Nevada in the south. 
 The Pyrenees are about 300 miles in length, and have an aver- 
 
 ' age elevation of from 7,000 to 9,000 feet. Its highest summit, 
 the Mount Maladitta, is 11,168 feet in elevation. The Canta-. 
 brian Mountains have an average elevation of from 4,000 to 
 6,000 feet; but some of the summits exceed 10,000 feet. The 
 mountains of central Spain are not remarkable for great height, 
 
 Q}iestio7is. — 92. What is paid of the Apennines? Ilciszht? Yoleanic region? Mmmt 
 Vesuvius? 93. The Curpatliian Mount:iins? Height? Gener:il charaotir i^l' lli(j ('m-|>;i- 
 thian Mounlaina? Eanges to the west of Ihe ISlh nieriilian ? 9t. Wliat are ihe nriiieip .1 
 mountain ranges of the Spanish peninsula? The Pyrenees? Mount Maladitta? The 
 Cantaljrian Mountains ? Mountains of central Spain ? llighest summits ? The peak of 
 Mulhacen 'i 
 
30 ASIATIC MOUNTAINS. 
 
 but few rising above 5,000 feet. The highest summits of the 
 Spanish peninsula are those of the Sierra Nevada, the general 
 height of which varies from 6,000 to 9,000 feet. The Peak of 
 Mulhacen, in this range, has an elevation of 11,658 feet. 
 
 95. The mountains of Norway and Sweden, sometimes called 
 the Scandinavian Mountains, extend along the Atlantic coast, 
 from the Naze, the south point of Norway, to the North Cape. 
 Their average height is from 3,000 to 5,000 feet; but some peaks, 
 as the Snee-haetten [snow hat), in the Dovre-field, are above 8,000 
 feet in height. The North Cape, in the island of Mageroe, which 
 is a detached member of this mountain system, is a high mass 
 of rock rising to 1,161 feet in elevation, and broken into pyra- 
 midal cliffs by the force of the waves. 
 
 96. The Ural Mountains form the eastern boundary of Europe. 
 They extend from about the 51st parallel, a distance of more 
 than 1,200 miles, to the vicinity of the Arctic Ocean. Their 
 mean elevation is about 2,000 feet. The chain of Mount Cauca- 
 sus extends between the Caspian and Black seas, through a length 
 of more than 700 miles. The breadth of the whole mountain 
 region exceeds 150 miles. The highest summit, called El-burz 
 [the mountain), is 18,493 feet in elevation. The line of per- 
 petual snow in the Caucasus is about 11,000 feet above the level 
 of the sea. 
 
 97. Asiatic Mountains. — Asia is remarkable for embracing 
 the most extensive mountain system in the world. The ranges 
 extend mostly in an east and west direction, from the eastern ex- 
 tremity of the continent to the shore of the Mediterranean. 
 Among the principal chains, are the Aldan, or Stanovoi Mount- 
 ains, the Altai, the Thian-shan, the Kuen-lun, the Himalaya, the 
 Hindoo-Koosh, the mountains of Armenia, and the chain of 
 Mount Taurus. 
 
 98. The Himalaya Mountains, which border the plateau of 
 Tibet on the south, contain the loftiest summits on the globe. 
 
 Qnefitim^it. — 95. The mountnins of Norway and Sweden? Average height ? The North 
 C.ip'? 96^ The Ural Mountains'? Kxteiit? Mean elevation? Mount Caucasus? El- 
 burz? Lin^ of perpetual snow? 97. For what is Asia remark:ible ? General direction 
 of the ranges ? Principal chains ? 9S. Himalaya Mountains? Their length and breadth ? 
 Mean elevation? Snow-line? Passes? 
 
ASIATIC MOUNTAINS. 81 
 
 (68). This range is about 1,500 miles in length, and from 200 
 to 250 in breadth, and has a mean elevation of from 15,000 to 
 18,000 feet. All the higher parts of the mountains are covered 
 vi^ith perpetual snow. The mean height of the snow-line is about 
 15,000 feet on the southern and 18,000 feet on the northern side 
 of the principal range. Some of the passes over the Himalaya 
 are at the remarkable elevation of 18,000 feet above the level 
 of the sea, and several exceed 15,000 feet. 
 
 99. The Altai Mountains, which extend in an east and west 
 direction, between the 50th and 55th parallels, border the great 
 central table-lands of interior Asia upon the north. The Thian- 
 shan and the Kuen-lun ranges are intermediate to the Altai and 
 Himalaya ranges. To the east of the Great Desert of Shamo, 
 or Gobi, are the mountains of In-shan, and Khin-ghan. Pe-ling 
 and Nan-ling (or northern and southern mountains) extend in an 
 east and west direction through China, separated by the basin of 
 the Yang-tse-kiang River. 
 
 100. The mountains of the Hindoo-Koosh, the summits of 
 which are from 18,000 to 20,000 feet above the level of the sea, 
 form a group in which several ranges unite : this region joins 
 the elevated plateaus of Central Asia with those in the western 
 part of the continent. The Paropamisan extend west from the 
 Hindoo-Koosh along the northern borders of the plateau of Iran. 
 The Elbrooz Mountains are a continuation of the same range, and 
 extend south of the Caspian Sea, rising in Mount Demavend to 
 a height of 14,695 feet. The Soleimaun (or Suleimaun) Mount- 
 ains are on the east, and the Zagros Mountains on the west of 
 the plateau of Iran. 
 
 101. The Mountains of Armenia, situated between the Caspian 
 Sea and the head waters of the River Tigris, are very irregularly 
 disposed. Mount Ararat, the highest of these mountains, at 
 tains an elevation of 17,323 feet above the level of the sea, and 
 is covered with perpetual snow. The chain of Mount Tau- 
 
 Questiot)^.—99. The Altai Mountains? Tliian-shan and Kuen-lun ranges? What 
 mountains to the east of the Great Desert of Shamo? The Pe-ling and Nan-ling? 100. 
 The Hindoo-Koosh? What regions do they unite? The Paropamisan? The Elburz 
 Mountains? The Solemaun Mountains? The Zagros? 101 . The mountains of Arrno* 
 nia? Mount Ararat? Mount Taurus? Argaeus? The mountains of Lebanon? Mouni 
 Hcrmon ? The Sinai Mountains ? 
 
32 AFEICAN MOUNTAINS. 
 
 rus extends through Asia Minor, and has an average elevation of 
 from 4,000 to 5,000 feet; its highest summit, Mount Argaeus^ia 
 
 
 ^^~7~ "; 
 
 H^t,- 
 
 
 
 
 Mount Ararat. ' 
 
 12,859 feet above the sea. The Mountains of Lebanon extend 
 along the coast of Syria in a north and south direction. Mount 
 Hermon, their loftiest summit, is 11,030 feet above the sea-level, 
 and borders on the region of perpetual snow. The highest peak 
 of the Sinai Mountains^ which stand at the head of the Red Sea, 
 is 9,300 feet above the sea. 
 
 102. Mountain ranges also extend through Arabia, Hindoostan, 
 the Indo-Chinese peninsula, and the peninsulas of Corea and 
 Kamtchatka. 
 
 103. African Mountains. — A range of mountains extends 
 along the northern shores of Africa called Mount Atlas. It has 
 a mean elevation of from 3,000 to 5,000 feet; but Mount Miltsin, 
 to the southeastward of the city of Marocco, is found to be 
 11,400 feet in altitude. To the eastward of the 4th meridian of 
 west longitude is a series of ranges nowhere more than from 
 3,000 to 4,000 feet high. 
 
 104. The Mountains of Ahyssinia constitute another mountain 
 
 Question,". — 102. Other mountain ranges ? 103. "What mountains in the north of Africa ? 
 Mean elevation? Mount Miltsin? 104. On what do the moimtains of Abyssinia rest? 
 Height of the highest summits 1 The valley of the Nile ? Mountains near the Ked Sea ? 
 
AFKICAN MOUNTAINS. 3d 
 
 system of Africa. They rest on an extensive plateau whose ele- 
 vation is from 6,000 to 8,000 feet. The highest summits are up- 
 ward of 15,000 feet above the sea, and are covered with perpetual 
 snow. The valley of the Nile, through nearly its entire course, 
 is bordered by high rocks or hills of an elevation rarely exceed- 
 ing five to six huiidred feet. Near the Red Sea, there is a suc- 
 cession of mountain groups, some of which reach from 6,000 to 
 9,000 feet in height. 
 
 105. The third mountain system of Africa extends aloag the 
 western coast, between the parallels of 14° north, and 18° 
 south latitude. Those which run in an easterly and westerly 
 direction, north of the Gulf of Guinea, are known by the name of 
 the Kong Mountains ; their general height is from 3,000 to 4,000 
 feet. The Peak of Cameroons, near the coast of the Bight of 
 Biafra, is a detached mountain mass, 13,760 feet in height. In 
 the adjoining island of Fernando Po, Clarence Peak rises to 10,655 
 feet. The extreme unhealthfulness of the climate, combined v.dth 
 other causes, has prevented any thing like a full survey of even 
 the coast regions of Africa ; and a very large portion of the vast 
 interior remains almost entirely unknown. It is probable that 
 extensive elevations may yet be discovered in the central part. 
 
 106. A fourth series of mountain chains, known as the Mount' 
 ains of the Moon, extends along the eastern coast of Africa, though 
 lying generally at a considerable distance inland. But little i 
 known respecting this range. It is supposed to form the border 
 of a great interior table-land. Mount Kilimandjaro, in latitude 4® 
 south, was discovered by a missionary in 1849. Its summit is cov- 
 ered with perpetual snow, whence its elevation is assumed to be 
 not less than 20,000 feet. Mount Kenia, a volcano, situated a little 
 south of the equator, is supposed to have about the same elevation. 
 
 107. In South Africa, there is a mountain chain having a gen- 
 eral east and west direction, called the Nieuveldt Mountains. The 
 altitude of the highest portions exceeds 10,000 feet. The Table 
 Mountain, in the neighborhood of the Cape of Good Hope, is a 
 flat-topped summit, 3,582 feet above the level of the sea. 
 
 Questions, — 105. "What is the third mountain system ? The Kong Mountains? The Pcafc 
 of Cameroons / Clarence Peak ? 1 06. A fourth series of mountain chains ? What is sup- 
 posed respecting it? Mount Kilimandjaro ? Mount Kenia? 107. What mountaia chain 
 ;a South AfHca ? Greatest elevation ? The Table Mountain i 
 
 2* 
 
34 ITPIiAND PLAINS, OK TABLE-LANDS. 
 
 LESSON IX. 
 
 UPLAND PLAINS, OR TABLE-LANDS. 
 
 108. Upland plains, sometimes called table-lands, or plateaus, 
 are extensive tracts whose general level is considerably elevated 
 above that of the sea. They are commonly skirted by mountain 
 ranges which, in some cases, descend abruptly into the surround- 
 ing plains. Some of th'^se elevated plains support upon their 
 surface large mountain ranges, which, although of inconsiderable 
 height above the plateau, are yet of great elevation above the 
 level of the sea. Table-lands vary in height from 2,000 to 
 15,000 feet. 
 
 109. The most extensive table-lands of North America are 
 those situated in Mexico. They embrace the plateau of Anahuac, 
 and extend from about the 42d parallel southward to the penin- 
 sula of Tehuantepec. This vast highland consists of a series 
 of plains of different elevations. The highest part of the plain of 
 Toluca, upon which the city of Mexico stands, is 9,000 feet 
 above the level of the sea. Farther to the southeast, are the pla- 
 teaus of Guatemala and Honduras, which exceed 6,000 feet. 
 
 110. The plateau of Chihuahua, lying to the north of the 24th 
 parallel, varies from 4,000 to 6,000 feet in height, the southern 
 portion being the more elevated. It has a generally level surface, 
 and a great part of it is desert. It contains many dry salt-lakes, 
 and most of the rivers which cross it, terminate on the table-land 
 without finding any outlet to the coast. The plain of Anahuac 
 is more generally fertile, though arid in many parts. 
 
 111. Along the base of the Rocky Mountains a succession of 
 barren plains extends eastward, for a distance of 400 miles, to- 
 ward the valley of the Mississippi. Through these regions the 
 Red, Arkansas, and other rivers flow in channels considerably 
 
 Questioiifi. — 108. What are upland plnins, tablo-lanfls, or plateaus? How oommonly 
 skirted? Mountain nmges supporled by them? Ileisht of table-lands? 109. Table-lands 
 of North America ? What large plateaus do Ihey embrace, and where do they extend ? Of 
 what does this vast highland consist? Elevation of the plain of Toluca? Of the plateaus 
 of Guatemala and Honduras? 110. Describe the plateau of Chihuahua. What is said 
 of Its lakes and rivers ? The plain of Anahuac ? 111. Flaina east of the Eocky Mountains ? 
 Between the Eocky Mountains and the Paciflc? 
 
UPLAND PLAINS, OK TABLE-LANDS. 35 
 
 below the general surface. The country between the Rocky 
 Mountains and the Pacific consists, for the most part, of high 
 plateaus and mountain-terraces, including the Great Basin or 
 plateau of Utah, with an elevation of from 4,000 to 5,000 feet. 
 
 112. The northern regions of North America are characterized 
 by highlands, though of no very considerable elevations (79), 
 The severity of the climate has prevented any thing like a full 
 exploration, and they will long remain, as they are at present, 
 inhabited only by a hardy race of savages. 
 
 113. South America is remarkable for containing some of the 
 most elevated plains in the world. That which surrounds Lake 
 Titicaca is 12,700 feet above the level of the sea, and is surround- 
 ed by the loftiest summits of the Andes. The plain of Antisana, 
 under the equator, surrounds the cone of a mountain by the same 
 name, which is covered with eternal snow, and seems like an islet 
 in its midst. This plain is 13,451 feet high, and contains the 
 hamlet of Antisana, which lies at the foot of the cone, being one 
 of the highest spots inhabited by man. 
 
 114. The most extensive t ible-land of Europe is that of Spain. 
 This peninsula consists chiefly of an elevated tract which reaches 
 on its north side to a height of 3,000 feet, and on its south to 
 about 2,000 feet. Madrid, the capital, has an elcA^ation of 2,170 
 feet. The plateau of Bavaria, in central Europe, reaches a height 
 of 2,000 feet ; and the southwest portion of the Scandinavian 
 peninsula constitutes a plateau of moderate elevation. There are 
 several small plateaus, such as the plateau of the Valdai, the 
 plateau of Finland, etc. 
 
 115. Asia contains the most widely extended system of table- 
 lands on the globe. Between the Himalaya Mountains on the 
 south, and the Altai Mountains on the north, extends the vast 
 central plateau, having an elevation of from 3,000 to 12,000 feet 
 above the sea-level. In the south, the plain of Tibet attains the 
 
 Questions: — 112. Highlands in the northern part of North America? 113. For what ig 
 South America remarkable ? What is said of the plain which surrounds Lake Titicaca ? 
 The plain of Antisana ? Hamlet of Antisana ? 114. The most extensive table-land of Eu- 
 rope ? Its elevation on the north and south 1 Elevation of Madrid ? The plateau of 
 Bavaria ? Other plateaus ? 115. Plateaus of Asia ? Describe the situation of the vast 
 central plateau ? Its elevation ? The plain of Tibet ? The great desert of Shamo ? Pla- 
 teaus of southwestern Asia ? Plateau of the Deccan ? 
 
36 NOETH AMERICAN PLAINS. 
 
 remarkable height of 12,000 feet. Farther north is the great 
 desert of Shamo, or Gobi, which has an elevation of from 4,000 
 to 5,000 feet. Nearly the whole of southwestern Asia is ele- 
 vated into table-lands, among which are the plateau of Iran, the 
 plateau of Asia Minor, and the plateau of Arabia. These pla- 
 teaus have an elevation of from 2,000 to 4,000 feet. The pla- 
 teau of the Deccan forms the southern portion of Ilindoostan, 
 and has an elevation of about 2,000 feet. * 
 
 116, The Sahara (or Great Desert) of Africa, forms a plateau 
 of moderate elevation, probably not more in general than from 
 1,000 to 1,500 feet above the sea, though particular portions of 
 it reach the height of 2,000 feet. It is supposed a vast table- 
 land stretches from the 5th or 6th parallel of north latitude to the 
 neighborhood of Cape Colony. 
 
 LESSON X, 
 
 LOWLAND PLAINS. 
 
 117. Lowland plains are distinguished from plateaus by be- 
 ing only slightly elevated above the sea-level. In some cases 
 they are considerably below it ; as, for examples, the regions 
 around the Caspian Sea and the Sea of Aral. They embrace the 
 most fertile regions of the globe, and being commonly traversed 
 by navigable rivers affording facilities for inland commerce and 
 communication, they constitute the principal abodes of man, and 
 the seats of industry and wealth. 
 
 118. North American Plains. — The central portion of 
 North America, extending from the Gulf of Mexico to the Arctic 
 Ocean, forms one immense plain, estimated to possess over two 
 and a quarter millions of square miles, or nearly one third of the 
 area of the entire continent. A rising ground divides it into a 
 
 QueMions.— 116. Sahara? Tfible-liind of South Africa? 117. How are lowland plains 
 distinguished from pl.iteaus ? In what cases are they below the sea-level ? Wliat do they 
 embrace ? 11 S. What are the situation and extent of the great central plain of North Amer- 
 ica? How divided? 
 
NORTH AMESICAN PLAINS. 37 
 
 northern and southern slope — the former being drained by the 
 waters which flow into Hudson's Bay and the Arctic Ocean, and 
 the latter by streams tributary to the Gulf of Mexico. 
 
 119. This plain is bounded on the east by the Apalachian sys- 
 tem, and on the west by the highlands which form the eastern 
 base of the Rocky Mountams, Its western limit, south of the 
 55th parallel north, is nearly along the 101st meridian; above 
 that parallel it pursues a northwest direction to the mouth of the' 
 Mackenzie's River, m latitude 135o west. 
 
 120 The only considerable elevations throughout this im- 
 mense extent are the Ozark Hills in the south, and a plateau of 
 moderate height to the north and west of Lake Superior. The 
 eastern parts of the plain, toward the base of the Alleghany 
 Mountains and the shores of Hudson's Bay, are generally well 
 wooded, and diversified by hills of small elevation. The middle 
 parts, embracing the valleys of the Mississippi and Missouri, and 
 the intervening tracts, as far as the upper portions of the Macken- 
 zie, are level and grassy regions, called prairies. 
 
 121. Prairies are of three kinds : 
 
 (1.) The Bushy Prairies. — These usually contain springs, and are covered 
 with grass, shrubs, grape-vines, and varieties of flowers. 
 
 Prairie Scene. 
 
 Questions.— \\9. Its boundary on the east and west? Its western limit? 120. Eleva^ 
 fions? The eastern parts ? The middle parts? 121. Into how many kinds may prairies 
 be ranged ? Describe the Bushy Prairies,— the Dry, or EoUing Prairies,— the Moist, or 
 Wet Prairies. 
 
S8 SOUTH AMEKICAN PLAINS. 
 
 (2.) The Bry or Rolling Prairies are so called on account of their freedom 
 from swamps or pools, and from their wavy surface. The vegetation consists^ 
 pi-incipally, of grass, weeds, and flowers, which grow with great luxuriance. 
 Over these prairies, the American bufi'alo roams, in herds of from 40,000 to 
 60,000. 
 
 (3.) The Moist or Wet Prairies, the least numerous, abound in stagnant 
 pools, formed by the floods of the rainy seasons. They are covered with a 
 rich vegetation of tall rank grass. 
 
 122. Along the Atlantic coast, between the base of the Apa- 
 lachian Mountains and the sea, stretches a plain, or a compara- 
 tively level region, narrow in its northern portion, but iucreasing 
 to a width of about 250 miles toward its southern limits, as the 
 mountains recede from the coast. Extensive swamps line the 
 coast in several places, and the soil, near the sea-shore, is fre- 
 quently sterile ; but, farther inland, the country improves and 
 contains many fertile tracts. The peninsula of Florida, which 
 belongs to this region, is low and flat, and a large portion of it is 
 covered with swamps. 
 
 123. South American Plains. — A great central plain extends 
 through the entire length of South America. It is divided 
 into three principal portions — the plain of the Orinoco, the plain 
 of the Amazon, and the plain of the Rio de la Plata, — deriving 
 their names from the three principal rivers by which they are 
 respectively drained. These divisions are distinguished by the 
 names of llanos, selvas, and pampas. 
 
 124. The Llanos, or Level Fields, are those vast plains in 
 Yenezuela and New Granada which extend to the north and 
 west from the Orinoco. They have a very level surface, and so 
 gently do they slope toward the sea, that a slight rise in the 
 Orinoco reverses the current of the tributary streams. At the 
 close of the rainy season, the llanos are covered with luxuriant 
 grass, and form rich pasture grounds ; but, during the dry months 
 which succeed, the vegetation is entirely destroyed, and the 
 parched ground opens in deep and wide crevices, giving the 
 whole country the aspect of desolation and sterility. 
 
 Questions. — 122. Describe the plain of the Atlantic coast. The peninsula of Florida. 
 123. Into how many portions is the great central plain of South America divided ? By 
 what names are they distinguished ? 124. Where are the llanos situated? What is said 
 of their level surface ? How covered daring the rainy aeason 1 Their aspect during the 
 dry season? 
 
SOUTH AMEEIOAN PLAINS. 
 
 39 
 
 Llano of South. America. 
 
 125. The Selvas, or Forest Plains, extend over the lower por- 
 tion of the basin of the Amazon, and within the limits to which 
 the annual inundations of that river and its tributaries extend. 
 A large part of this country is covered with dense forests. 
 
 126. Mrs. Somerville thus describes the selvas of South 
 America : 
 
 " The soil, enriched for ages by the spoils of the forest, consists of the 
 richest mold. The heat is suffocating in the deep and dark recesses of these 
 primeval woods, where not a breath of air penetrates, and where, after be- 
 ing drenched by the periodical rains, the damp is so excessive that a blue 
 mist rises in the early morning among the huge stems of the trees, and en- 
 velops the entangled creepers stretcliing from bough to bough. A death- 
 like stillness prevails from sunrise to sunset ; then the thousands of animals 
 that inliabit these forests join in one loud discordant roar, not continuous, 
 but in bursts. The beasts seem to be periodically and unanimously roused 
 by some unknown impulse, till the forest rings in universal uproar. Pro- 
 found silence prevails at midnight, which is broken at the dawn of morning 
 by another general roar of the wild chorus. Nightingales, too, have their 
 fits of silence and song ; after a pause they 
 
 ' all burst forth in choral minstrelsy, 
 
 As if some sudden gale had swept at once 
 A hundred airy harps.' — Coleuidgk." 
 
 Qtiesti<yns.—\i5. Situation of the Selvas? How covered? Mrs. Somerville's description 
 of the selvas of South Atuerioa ? 
 
4:0 GLACIERS. 
 
 127. The Pampas, or Flats, are immense level plains, va- 
 riously covered with long, coarse grass, mixed with wild oats, 
 clover, and other herbage. The country between the 32d and 
 39th parallels consists of swampy tracts, overgrown with canes 
 and tall reeds, and in other districts covered with gigantic thistles, 
 which grow to the height of eight feet, and so thick as literally 
 to render the country impassable. During nine months of the 
 year the thistles are here the predominant (and almost the only) 
 feature of the vegetable kingdom, but with the heats of the sum- 
 mer they become burned up, and their tall leafless stems are 
 leveled to the ground by the powerful blast of the pampero, or 
 southwest wind, from the snowy ranges of the Andes, after which 
 the earth is covered for a brief time with herbage. This is des- 
 tined, with the return of spring, again to give way to the stronger 
 vegetation, which it had succeeded, and for a time supplanted. 
 
 128. The plain which extends from the banks of the Negro 
 (latitude 39° south) to the southern extremity of the continent, is, 
 for the most part, barren ; in some places, it is covered with sand 
 mixed with stones and gravel. It contains no trees ; but a scanty 
 vegetation of shrubs and herbage is found in a few hollows and 
 ravines.* 
 
 LESSON XL 
 
 GLACIERS. 
 
 129. A GLACiERf is a field or immense mass of ice formed 
 in deep, but elevated valleys, or on the sides of mountains. Gla- 
 ciers occur very extensively among the Alps, the Pyrenees, and 
 the mountains of Norway. They are also found on the coast 
 of Greenland, and among the Andes of Patagonia. They occur, 
 
 Questions. — 127. What are the Pfimpaa? Describe the country between the 32d and 
 89th parallels. 12S Describe the plain which extends to the soutli of the Kegro. 129, 
 What is a glacier? Whore do glaciers occur extensively? Number of the glaciers along 
 the central part of the Alps? Their extent ? Number of square miifcs covered by the gla- 
 ciers of Switzerland? 
 
 * Hughes' Manual of Georgraphy. 
 
 + GLACtEE is from the Latin glades, ice. The French word glaeiere, from glaoe, sJgnl- 
 fles an ice-Twuse. 
 
GLACIERS 
 
 41 
 
 however, in the greatest numbers and to the greatest extent io 
 the mountains of Switzerland. Along the central part of the Alps, 
 from Mont Blanc to the 
 frontiers of Tyrol, there 
 are estimated to be more 
 than 400 glaciers. They 
 vary, in length, from 3 to 
 21 miles ; in width, from 
 1 to 2i miles ; and, in 
 thickness, from 100 to 600 
 feet. The glaciers of 
 Switzerland, covering, as 
 has been estimated, an 
 area of more than 1,000 Is 
 square miles, form the in- 
 exhaustible reservoirs of View of a Glacier. 
 
 several of the principal European rivers. 
 
 130. Glaciers are not composed of solid ice; but consist of a 
 mixture of ice, snow, and water. They owe their origin to the 
 accumulation of the snow which falls from the sides of the 
 mountains and becomes only partially melted during the short 
 summer of these elevated regions. 
 
 131. It is a remarkable fact concerning glaciers, that they have 
 an onward flow like rivers. This movement is very slow ; amount- 
 ing, on an average, to not more than one foot in twenty- four hours. 
 The current, like that of rivers, is most rapid in the middle and 
 at the surface ; becoming, on account of friction, gradually slower 
 toward the bottom and sides. M. Agassiz, in 1841 and 1842, 
 obtained the following results upon this point : 
 
 Annual Motion. 
 Finster Aar. — Stake nearest the center of the glacier.. . 269 feet. 
 
 " Stake nearest the side of the glacier 160 *« 
 
 Lauter Aar. — Stake nearest the center 245 " 
 
 " Stake nearest the side 125 " 
 
 132. The rate of motion depends upon the seasons; thawing 
 
 Questions.— i^O. Of what do glaciers consist? Their origin? 1S1. Eemarkable fact 
 respecting glaciers ? Eate of movement? In what part most rapid ? Results obtained 
 by Agassiz? 132. Upon what does the rate of motion depend? State the movement of 
 lixb Mer de Glace at different seasons.' 
 
43 GLACIEES. 
 
 weather, and a wet state of the ice, conducing to its advance- 
 ment ; while cold, whether sudden or prolonged, checks its pro- 
 gress. The ice near the shore of the Mer de Glace (Sea of Ice), 
 near Chamouni, was found to move as follows : 
 
 From June 29 to Sept. 28 132 feet. 
 
 ^ " Sept. 28 to Dec. 12 ? 70 « 
 
 " Dec. 12 to Feb. 17 76 « 
 
 " Feb. 17 to April 4 66 " 
 
 " April 4 to June 8 88 " 
 
 133. Glaciers, originating in the regions of eternal frost, de- 
 scend far below the line of perpetual snow. The lowest limit 
 to which perpetual snow extends downward in the Swiss Alps 
 is about 8,500 feet above the level of the sea. The lower gla- 
 cier of the Aar descends more than 1,500 feet below the snow- 
 line; while others descend 4,000 or 5,000 below the region of 
 perpetual snow and ice; as, for examples, the glaciers of the 
 Upper and Lower Grindelwald. 
 
 134. The appearance of glaciers is thus described by Lyell : 
 
 " When they descend steep slopes and precipices, or are forced through 
 narrow gorges, the ice is broken up, and assumes the most fantastic and 
 picturesque forms, with lofty peaks and pinnacles, projecting above the gen- 
 eral level. These snow-white masses are often relieved by a dark back- 
 ground of pines, as in the valley of Chamouni ; and are not only surrounded 
 with abundance of the wild rhododendron in full flower, but encroach still 
 lower into the region of cultivation, and trespass on fields where the tobacco- 
 plant is flourishing by the side of the peasant's hut." • 
 
 135. Snow mountains and glaciers, though devoid of vegeta- 
 tion in the upper regions, and presenting a picture of desolation 
 on a scale of magnificence which makes it awful, are yet a strik- 
 ing instance of the truth that nothing was made in vain. 
 
 " Herds of chamois are at home amid the frozen heights of the Alps; the 
 Thibetian cow can only bear the climate of the valleys in winter ; nor can 
 man pronounce such districts barren, though cheerless in appearance, and 
 never intended for his residence. They minister to his comfort, happiness, 
 and even luxury, as the inexhaustible sources of those streams, which in 
 summer, when other waters are evaporated and dried up, roll on through 
 the plains, fountains of fertility and plenty. The Rhine, Rhone, Po, Reuss, 
 
 Questions. — 133. Do glaciers descend below the limit of perpetual snow? What is the 
 lowest limit of perpetual snow on the Alps? To what distance below this line are glaciers 
 known to descend? 134. Appearance of glaciers as described by Lyell ? 135. What re- 
 mark is made of snow mountains and glaciers 7 How illustrated ? 
 
SNOW MOUNTAINS AND AVALANCHES. 43 
 
 Ticino, Aar, Adige, Inn, and Drave, respectively flowing to the German 
 Ocean, Mediterranean, Adriatic, and Black seas, are fed from the snows 
 and glaciers of the Alps." — Rev. Thomas Milner. 
 
 LESSON XII. 
 
 SNOW MOUNTAINS AND AVALANCHES. 
 
 136. The polar regions are covered with fields of perpetual 
 ice and snow. In the temperate and torrid zones, everlasting 
 frosts prevail only on the high lands. The elevation at which 
 perpetual snow begins in these zones varies with the latitude. It 
 is 16,000 feet from the level of the sea at the equator; 9,000 
 feet near latitude 45° ; 5,000 feet at latitude 60° ; 1,000 feet at 
 latitude 70° ; and about latitude 80° the line of perpetual snow 
 comes down to the sea-level. 
 
 137. The principal localities of permanent snow in the torrid 
 and temperate zones, are Iceland ; Norway ; the Alps ; and Pyre- 
 nees, in Europe ; the Caucasus ; Himalaya ; Kuen-lun ; and Altai 
 mountains, in Asia ; the range of the Greater Atlas, in Africa ; 
 and the Andes, in America. The mountains of South Australia^ 
 and Mount Egraont in New Zealand, are snow mountains. The 
 Himalaya range derives its name, " the dwelling of snow," from 
 so much of its surface being perpetually covered with snow. 
 
 138. The summits of these lofty mountains accumulate enor- 
 mous masses of snow, which are often precipitated into the sur- 
 rounding valleys, producing terrible disasters. These descend- 
 ing bodies increase in volume by the dislodgment of other masses, 
 and fall with tremendous velocity and violence, uprooting trees, 
 overwhelming houses and villages, and stopping the flow of 
 streams and rivers. 
 
 139. Such falls are very common in Switzerland, where they 
 
 Questions. — 136. Polar regions how covered ? Where only do everlasting frosts prevail in 
 the temperate and torrid zones? Elevation at which perpetual snow begins at the equator ? 
 At the 45°? 60°? 70°? Snow-line at the 80° ? 137. Principal localities of permanent 
 snow in the torrid and temperate zones? 138. Accumulation of snow masses ? Where 
 precipitated? Destructive effects? 139. Where are such falls very common ? What ara 
 they called in Switzerland ? In Norway ? What four kinds are noticed ? 
 
44 SNOW MOUNTAINS AND AVALANCHES. 
 
 are called avalanches* or lavanges. In Norway they are called 
 the snee-fond. Four kinds are noticed, drift, sliding, creeping, 
 and ice avalanches. 
 
 140. (1.) A drift avalanche is the fall of the drifts and other 
 accumulations of snow from the upper regions. During calm 
 weather snow collects in enormous volumes on the declivities, 
 where it remains until the wind forces it from its resting-place, 
 and it rushes down into the lower regions. In its progress, it 
 forces off other masses which augment its size, and, becoming 
 thus enlarged, it descends with constantly accelerated energy, 
 occasioning as much damage by the whirlwind rush of the air, 
 as by the direct attack of the snow. 
 
 141. (2.) A sliding avalanche is a descent of snow masses 
 which have become loosened by the heat of the earth. Ava- 
 lanches of this class occur in spring, and commonly originate in 
 the middle region of mountains. (3.) Creeping avalanches orig- 
 inate in a similar manner, but on less steep declivities. (4.) Ice 
 avalanches are parts of a glacier, detached by the summer heat, 
 or broken off by their own weight, on the extremity projecting 
 over the edge of a precipice. 
 
 142. The following interesting description of avalanches is 
 by the Rev. Thomas Milner : 
 
 " On descending the Slieidcck into the valley of Grindelwald, canton of 
 Berne, the extraordinary effects of an ice avalanche that fell some years 
 ago are observable. The ground is entirely cleared ; the trees have been 
 swept away like reeds ; an area of at least a mile and a half square is strewn 
 with stones and stumps ; a fine forest growing on each side of the area, 
 •which was untouched by the falling mass. 
 
 143. "A similar avalanche descended near the village of Randa, in one 
 of the valleys of the Valais canton, in 1819. It covered with ice, rubbish, 
 and fragments of rock an area of 2,400 feet in length, by 1,000 feet wide, 
 to the depth of 150 feet. It fell on an uninhabited spot, but the adjoining 
 village was destroyed by the tremendous rush of the compressed air conse- 
 quent upon the descent of such an enormous mass, about 9,000 feet. Beams 
 of houses were carried nearly a mile into the forest, and the massive stone 
 steeple of the church was snapped asunder. 
 
 144. " In the year 1749, a creeping avalanche of snow descended in the 
 
 Qufstlonj>.—U(). Describe the rtrift avalanches. 141. The sliding avalanches,— the creep- 
 ing avalanches, — the ice avalanches. 
 
 ♦ AvALAHCHE, from the French avalei; to descend. 
 
VOLCANOES. 45 
 
 valley of Tawich, in the canton of the Orisons, and buried the whole village 
 of Bueras, pushing it at the same time from its site. The catastrophe oc- 
 curred in the night, and so stealthily, that it was unperceived by the inhab- 
 itants, who, on awaking in the morning, were surprised at the prolonged 
 darkness. Sixty out of a hundred persons were dug out alive, obtaining a 
 sufiBicient supply of air through the interstices of the snow to sustain life. 
 
 145. " In 1838 the secluded hospice of the Grimsel was the scene of a re- 
 markable preservation. The hospice, remote from any human habitation, 
 well known to pilgrims in the Oberland, is only tenanted by a single servant 
 with provisions and dogs, from November to March. In the latter month, 
 a great storm occurred, and the snow fell incessantly for four days. While 
 occupied with his art of wood-carving, the solitary was alarmed by a myste- 
 rious sound in the evening, like the cry of a human being in distress ; but no 
 benighted wayfarer appeared on sallying forth with his dog. The sound re- 
 curred again. It was one of those signals which frequently precede a grand 
 catastrophe in the Alps — the noise of admass disturbed and quivering. Sud- 
 denly the impression seized him to retreat into the hospice. He went ac- 
 cordingly into an inner room, and began to pray, when the avalanche camo 
 thundering down, crushing every apartment but the one which was then 
 sanctified by prayer. Its inmate with his dog succeeded in working his way 
 through the snow, and reached Meyringen in safety, firmly regarding his 
 preservation as an answer to his prayer ; and to every pious mind it will 
 verify the sacred declaration, ' He that dwelleth in the secret place of the 
 Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.' " 
 
 LESSON XIII. 
 
 VOLCANOES. 
 
 146. The term Volcano (derived from Vulcanus, the name 
 the ancient Romans gave to their imaginary god of fire) is ap- 
 plied to those mountains which send forth, from their summits 
 or sides, tlame, smoke, ashes, and streams of melted matter 
 called lava : it is also applied to mountains having eruptions of 
 mud only, and which are hence called Mud Volcanoes. 
 
 147. Volcanoes are generally of a conical shape, with a hol- 
 low at their summit, called the crater, or cup, the sides of which 
 are sometimes entire, like the walls of a circus, but more com- 
 
 Questions. — 146. From what is the term volcano derived 1 To what is it applied 1 147. 
 General shape of volcanoes ? What is the opening at the summit called ? Its appearance ? 
 The general appearance of the bottom or floor of craters ? 
 
46 
 
 TOL CANOES. 
 
 monly rent. The bottom or floor of craters usually presents a 
 series of ashy cones, with cracks and fissures, through which 
 jets of smoke, steam, and flame issue at the most tranquil in- 
 tervals. 
 
 Volcano of OrizalDa, 
 
 148. Volcanoes are either continuously active, or intermittent, 
 or extinct. Of the former class is Stromboli, in the Mediter- 
 ranean. It is a comparatively low mound, 2,175 feet high. 
 Though rarely violent, it has been uninterruptedly active from the 
 dawn of authentic history, constituting a permanent fiery beacon 
 to sailors on the adjoining seas. Etna, Vesuvius, and Cotopaxi 
 have varying intervals of rest, in some instances, amounting to 
 centuries. Extinct volcanoes are those whose activity has, for 
 ages, been suspended. A volcano of this class may be found on 
 the isle of Palma, one of the Canaries. 
 
 149. An explosion commonly begins by a dense volume of 
 smoke issuing from the crater, mixed with aqueous vapor and 
 gases ; then masses of rock and melted matter are thrown out 
 with great violence ; after which, lava begins to flow, and the 
 whole terminates with a shower of ashes from the crater. The 
 
 Questicyn^. — 14S. The three states of volcanoes 1 Stromboli ? Examples of intermittent 
 Tolcanoes? What are extinct vcilcanoes? Instance. 149. How does an explosion com- 
 monly begin 1 What substances follow ? What finally succeeds ? Which of the ejected 
 substances is often the most destructive 7 
 
VOLCAiriC EEGIONS". 4T 
 
 ashes are often very destructive, as will be seen from the accounts 
 of volcanoes, given in a succeeding lesson. 
 
 150. There are supposed to be about 300 volcanoes on the 
 earth, about two thirds of which are situated in islands, the re- 
 mainder being confined to the continents. Their distribution is 
 stated in the following table : 
 
 On Continents. On Islands. Total. 
 
 Europe 1 20 24 
 
 Asia 17 29 46 
 
 Africa 2 9 11 
 
 America 86 28 114 
 
 Oceanica — 108 108 
 
 109 194 303 
 
 LESSON XIY. 
 
 VOLCANIC REGIONS.* 
 
 151. Volcanic Regions of the Andes. — The Andes of 
 South America embrace three extensive volcanic regions. The 
 first is known as the Chilean range, the second as the Peruvian, 
 and the third as the volcanic region of Quito. These regions 
 are separated by extensive tracts, in which no volcanic action 
 has been known to occur since the discovery of America. 
 
 152. The volcanic range of Chile embraces the most southern 
 line of active vents. It extends from latitude 43° 28' south, or 
 from a point on a range with the island of Chiloe to Coquimbo, 
 in latitud.e 30° south — a distance of nearly fourteen degrees of 
 latitude. This region is remarkable for containing the highest 
 known volcano in the world, that of Aconcagua (22,301 feet). 
 To the north is a space of more than eight degrees of latitude, 
 in which no recent volcanic eruptions have been observed. 
 
 QueMons. — 150. Number of volcanoes ? How many of these are situated in islands ? 
 On continents ? What number belongs to Europe? To Asia? To Africa? To Americii? 
 To Oceanlc.n. ? 151. Number of volcimic resrions in the Andes ? By what names known? 
 How are these regions separated ? 152. Volcanic range of Chile ? Between what parallels 
 does it extend ? For what remarkable ? 
 
 * The description of the volcanic regions contained in this lesson is derived principally 
 from '• Lyell's Principles of Geology." 
 
48 VOLCANIC EEGIOlSrS. 
 
 153. The Peruvian line of volcanoes, the next in order, extendi 
 to a distance of about six degrees, from latitude 21° south to lat- 
 itude 15° south. The volcano of Arequipa is situated in this dis- 
 trict, with an elevation of more than 20,000 feet. Between the 
 Peruvian volcanoes and those of Quito, another space intervenes, 
 of no less than fourteen degrees of latitude, said to be free from 
 volcanic action. 
 
 154. The volcanoes of Quito begin about 100 geographi- 
 cal miles south of the equator, and continue nearly 130 miles 
 north of that line. Their most elevated summits are Cotopaxi 
 and Antisana, — the former having an altitude of 18,875 feet, 
 and the latter 19,370 feet. To the north of the volcanic re- 
 gion of Quito, there occurs another undisturbed interval of 
 more than six degrees, after which we arrive at the volca- 
 noes of Guatemala, in Central America, north of the Isthmus of 
 Panama. 
 
 155. The volcanoes of South America attain, in many instances, 
 a great height above the level of the sea, several examples of 
 which have been previously cited. Those of Peru rise from a 
 lofty platform to elevations varying from 17,000 to 20,000 feet. 
 Of those which have recently been in a state of activity, the 
 most lofty is Cotopaxi. Its eruptions have been more frequent 
 and destructive than those of any other mountain. It is a perfect 
 cone, usually covered with an immense bed of snow which is 
 sometimes, however, suddenly melted by an eruption ; as, for 
 example, in January, 1803, when the snows were dissolved in 
 one night. 
 
 156. Frequent deluges are caused in the Andes by the sudden 
 \nelting of great masses of snow, and by the rending open, during 
 earthquakes, of subterranean cavities filled with water. In these 
 inundations, fine volcanic sand, loose stones, and other mate- 
 rials, which the water meets in its descent, are swept away; 
 and a vast quantity of mud, called " moya," is thus formed 
 and carried down to the lower lands. In 1797, valleys, a 
 
 Questions. — 153. Situation and extent of the Peravian line of volcanoes? Volcano of 
 Arequipa? TVhat non-volcanic region to the north? 151. Situation and extent of the 
 volcanoes of Quito? Most elevated summits? What region extends farther nortn ? 155. 
 What is said of tlie vast elevations of the South American volcanoes? Of those of Peru? 
 What is said of Cotopaxi ? 156. Frequent deluges, how caused ? Moya ? Illustratina ? 
 
VOLCANIC KEGIONS. 
 
 ^9 
 
 thousand feet wide, surrounding Tunguragua, in Quito, were filled 
 with mud from this source to a depth of six hundred feet. 
 
 157. Volcanoes of North America. — Proceeding nortli 
 from the Isthmus of Panama, we find extensive volcanoes scat- 
 tered through Central America and Mexico. Coseguina, in the 
 former country, was in eruption in 1835, and some of its ashes 
 fell at Truxillo, on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico. The 
 amount of ashes thrown out by this eruption was so great, that 
 twenty-four miles to the southward they covered the ground to 
 the depth of three yards and a half, destroying the woods and 
 dwellings. Thousands of cattle perished, and the streams were 
 strewed with dead fish. 
 
 158. Of the volcanoes of Mexico, Tux- 
 tla, Orizaba, Popocatepetl, Jorulio, and 
 Colima are situated on a line extending 
 from west tii cast, near the parallel of 19° north latitude. If this 
 line be prolonged in a westerly direction, it cuts the volcanic 
 
 Qnef'tinn.i. — 157. Volcanoes north of the Isthmus of Panamti? Cnseffiiinti? Amount 
 of a.-ihrs thrown out ? 158. Volcanops in Mexico ? How situated ? Volcanoes in the pea- 
 insula of California? What volcaao reported to have heen found farther north ? 
 
50 VOLCANIC EEG IONS. 
 
 group of islands called the Isles of Revillagigedo. There are said 
 to be three, or, according to some, five volcanoes in the peninsula 
 of California ; and a volcano, Mt. St. Helens, is reported to have 
 beyn recently in eruption near the mouth of the Columbia River. 
 
 159. Of the West Indian Islands, the range, known as the 
 Lesser Antilles, is extensively volcanic. It comprises two par- 
 allel series : in the one to the vv^est, all the peaks are volcanic, 
 and rise to the height of several thousand feet ; in the other, they 
 are quite low, and, for the most part, composed of calcareous 
 rocks. In the former, or volcanic series, are Grenada, St. Vin- 
 cent, St. Lucia, Martinique, Dominica, Guadaloupe, Montserrat, 
 Nevis, and St. Eustace. In the calcareous chain are Tobago, 
 Barbadoes, St. Bartholemew, and St. Martin. The most consider- 
 able eruptions of modern times have been those of St. Vincent. 
 
 160. The volcanic regions of the continental parts of America 
 are confined to the western coast, where a line of volcanoes may 
 be traced from the coast opposite the island of Chiloe to Mexico, 
 or perhaps to the mouth of the Columbia River. There seems 
 to be no indication of volcanoes in Buenos Ayres, Brazil, and 
 the United States, though violent earthquakes have occurred in 
 the latter country, as that which convulsed the valley of the Mis- 
 sissippi, at New Madrid, in 1812. 
 
 161. Volcanic Region from the Aleutian Isles to the 
 Moluccas and Isles of Sunda — An extensive line of volcanoes 
 ranges through the Pacific, parallel with, and at no great distance 
 from, the eastern Asiatic coast. It commences in the north with 
 the Aleutian Isles, and e.xtends, first m a westerly direction for 
 nearly 200 geographical miles, and then southward, with few in- 
 terruptions, throughout a space of between sixty and seventy de- 
 grees of latitude to the Moluccas. At this point it sends off" a 
 branch to the southeast, while the principal train continues 
 westerly through Sumbawa and Java to Sumatra, and thence in 
 a northwesterly direction to the Bay of Bengal. 
 
 Questions.— 159. "What voleanic range in the West Indian Islands? Deserib? the more 
 westerly of the two parallel series. The other. What islands belong to the former series? 
 To the other? 160. To what regions are the volcanoes of the contint-ntal part of America 
 confineii ? "Where may they be traced? In which conntries are there no trare,<* of volca- 
 noes? 161, "Volcanic range thronsh the Pacific? Where does it eonjinesice J Give its 
 general course. Its course from the Moluccas? 
 
VOLCANIC KEGIONS. 51 
 
 162. It is supposed the northern extremity of this extensive 
 volcanic region is in the borders of Cook's Inlet, northeast of the 
 peninsula of Alaska, where one volcano, in about the sixtieth 
 degree of latitude, is said to be 14,000 feet high. Alaska con- 
 tains cones of vast height, which have been seen in eruption, 
 and which are covered for two thirds of their height downward 
 with perpetual snow. 
 
 163. From Alaska the line is continued through the Aleutian, 
 or Fox Islands, to Kamtchatka. On this peninsula are many 
 active volcanoes, which, in some eruptions, have scattered ashes 
 to immense distances. Of these, the largest is Kliuchevsk, lati- 
 tude 56° north, which rises at once from the sea to the prodig- 
 ious height of 16,512 feet. 
 
 164. The Kurile chain of islands constitutes the prolongation 
 of this range, which is continued through Jesso, Niphon, Loo- 
 Choo, and Formosa to the Philippine Islands and the Moluccas. 
 
 165. Java is said to contain thirty-eight considerable volcanoes, 
 some of which are more than 10,000 feet high. They are re- 
 markable for the quanti[y of sulphur and sulphurous vapors which 
 they discharge. They rarely emit lava ; but rivers of mud issue 
 from them. There are numerous extinct craters on the island 
 of Java, filled with water which is strongly impregnated with 
 sulphuric acid. The streams flowing from them support no liv- 
 ing creature. 
 
 166. The Indian and Pacific oceans contain a great number 
 of volcanic islands, interspersed with those of coral formation. 
 The former are lofty, and present evidence that they have been 
 undergoing upheaval in modern times ; the latter are very low, 
 consisting of reefs of coral, usually with lagoons, or lakes, in 
 their centers. 
 
 167. Volcanic Regions of the Mediterranean. — Of the 
 
 Questions.— ie% Situation of the northern extn-mity of this volcanic region? Wlir.t of 
 the volcanoes of Alaska? 16-3. Course of the volcanic line from Alaska? Volcanoes of 
 Kamtchatka? Kliuchevsk? 164 Through what chain of islands is the range prolonced? 
 Through what oilier islands is the chain contiiir.ed ? 165. Number of volcanoes in Java? 
 For what are they remarkable ? Ejected matter ? Extinct craters ? 166. Extent of volca- 
 noes in the Indian and Pacific oceans ? How intersperse<l V Character of the volcanic 
 islands of the coral islands? 16T. Volcanic regions of the Mediterranean? S.antorin? 
 Ionian Isles? Vesuvius and Etna? Through what countries does this volcanic region 
 extend on the east ? On the west ? 
 
52 
 
 VESUVIUS. 
 
 volcanic regions in, or bordering on, the Mediterranean Sea, are 
 those of Greece and Italy, with the adjacent islands. In the 
 Grecian Archipelago is the island of Santorin, a grand center of 
 volcanic action. The Ionian Isles are continually convulsed. 
 Vesuvius and Etna, — the former in southern Italy, and the latter 
 in the island of Sicily, — are among the most remarkable volca- 
 noes in the world. The volcanic region which traverses the 
 northern shore of the Mediterranean is supposed to extend in 
 the east through Asia Minor, and the countries bordering on the 
 Caspian Sea to Central Asia, and on the west, through the south- 
 ern part of Spain and Portugal to the Azores. 
 
 LESSON XY. 
 
 VESUVIUS, ETNA, ETC. 
 
 Crater of Ve-^uvias '.n 1829. 
 
 168. Vesuvius. — This volcano is situated about six miles from 
 Naples, and rises in a pyramidal form from a large plain to an 
 elevation of 3,932 feet. It has been subject to many powerful 
 
 Questia7is.—1GS. Vesuvius, where situated ? Its form and elevation ? Convulsions? 
 
VESUVIUS. 53 
 
 convulsions, some of which have produced great devastation h) 
 the surrounding districts. 
 
 169. The following description of its crater is by an Amer- 
 ican* who visited it in 1851 : 
 
 " After passing through thick clouds of steam charged with the suffocat- 
 ing sulphurous acid gas which greatly annoyed our lungs, when tlie wind 
 cleared our vision we found ourselves on the narrow rim of the great crater. 
 
 It Avas so narrow that only two persons could walk upon it abreast 
 
 On this narrow rim, we walked on a surface not more than six or eight feet 
 wide, with the terrific crater, 1,000 feet deep, on one side, and the abrupt 
 descent of 1,800 feet on the other side, into the valley of Somma. It was a 
 spectacle truly sublime, awfully grand and appalling. The heat below sent 
 up, in throes and spasms, dense clouds of steam and sulphurous acid gas, 
 which, at short intervals, filled the crater, and all that appeared was a pil- 
 lar of a cloud, in which we were often involved and half suffocated ; we 
 stood with arms locked, for then it was unsafe to move until a whirlwind 
 swept the crater clear, and we could see into its profound abyss. 
 
 170. " Nothing could be more perfectly formed than this crater. It was 
 a magnificent hollow cone, whose nether apex opened into the great world 
 of fire below ; still the fire we did not see, although we had the most decisive 
 proof of its existence and continued action in the violent ejection of steam 
 and gas, filling every few minutes this vast funnel, whose diameter across 
 from side to side was probably 1,000 feet; but the dense cloud of steam 
 and noxious gas which hovered to leeward over a large portion of the circur 
 lar orifice, rendered it impossible to walk around it, or even to ascertain 
 •whether a continuity of surface, free from cross fractures and chasms, would 
 render it practicable without the most imminent danger." 
 
 171. The earliest recorded eruption of Vesuvius is that which 
 happened in the year of our Lord 79, and by which the cities of 
 Herculaneum and Pompeii were destroyed. 
 
 172. History informs us of that sad catastrophe, but the sites of tho'fee 
 cities had become unknown, and it was not until the last century that 
 J they Avere discovered. Herculaneum, which was discovered in 1711, lies five 
 miles from Naples, immediately adjacent to the eastern shores of the bay, 
 and is still partly covered by the large modern village of Resina. Pompeii, 
 discovered in 1748, is situated farther to the southeast, twelve miles distant 
 from Naples. A great part of it has been cleared from the ashes under 
 which it had so long lain buried, and it exhibits to view the full picture of 
 
 Qnentiorts. — 169. WkIiIi of the crater's rim ? Its depth ? Clouds of steam ? ITO. Form 
 of the crater? Exist<-nee of fire? Diameter of the funnel ? AVhcit other fnets .ire nieii- 
 tioned ? ITl. Esirliest recorded eruption o'' Vesuvius? What cities were destroyed hy it? 
 1T2. Herculaneum, when discovered and where situated ? Pompeii, when discovered and 
 where situated ? Eemains f mnd ? 
 
 * Professor B. Silliman. 
 
54 
 
 ETNA. 
 
 ■what a Roman city was, — temples, tlicaters, baths, private habitations, the 
 shops of the different trades, the implements with which they were carried 
 on, and even tlie m-itpi-ifi1« iipon which these were employed. 
 
 VcbUViUS. 
 
 173. In the vicinity of Naples there are other evidences of the 
 volcanic character of this district. Numerous hot baths abound, 
 supplied with steam and water from the vents in the earth. The 
 Solfatara is the name of a nearly extinguished volcano, giving 
 vent continually to aqueous vapor, together with sulphurous and 
 muriatic acid gases, like those which escape from Vesuvius. 
 
 174. Etxa. — This celebrated volcano is situated on the east- 
 ern side of the island of Sicily. It rises near the sea in soli- 
 tary grandeur, to the height of nearly eleven thousand feet. Its 
 base is almost circular, and is about eighty-seven English miles 
 in circumference. Its summit is about thirty miles from the 
 town of Catania, a sea-port to the south. 
 
 175. Etna has been longest known to history of any volcano. 
 It was known to be in action 480 years B. C. Here, according 
 to ancient mythology, the thunderbolts of Jupiter were forged ; 
 
 Qiief(tio7ui. — 173. O'lier evidpnees of the volcanic oharaoter of the district aroiind Naples? 
 notliatlis? Tlu^ Sollaliira? 174. Where is Etna situated ? Its height? Form and cir- 
 cumfirence of its base? 175. Date of its earliest known eruption? What events did 
 mythology connect with the mountain ? Subsequent eruptions ? 
 
VOLCANOES OF ICELAND. 
 
 55 
 
 here, also, was raised a temple to Vulcan, where the fire never 
 ceased to burn. From the above-mentioned date, during the 
 whole subsequent period, it has been subject to periodical con- 
 vulsions, with intervals of repose varying greatly in duration. 
 
 The recorded eruptions of Etna are . . .B. C. 480 — 427, interval 63 yearg. 
 
 ...B.C. 427— 396, " 31 " 
 ...B.C. 396— 140, " 256 « 
 " " between B. C. 140 — 122, four eruptions. 
 
 « " B. C. 122— 66, interval 66 years. 
 
 «* • " between B. C. 56 & 38, three eruptions. 
 
 " « B. C. 38— A. D. 40, interval 78 years. 
 
 A.D. 40—251, " 211 years. 
 A. D. 251— 812, « 661 « 
 A.D. 812— 1169, « 357 « 
 
 From this period to the present the agitations of Etna have increased in 
 frequency and power : 
 
 Twelfth and thirteeath centuries 3 eruptions. 
 
 Fourteenth 2 " 
 
 Fifteenth 4 
 
 Sixteenth - 3 
 
 Seventeenth. 8 " 
 
 Eighteenth 14 " 
 
 Nineteenth to 1832 6 
 
 176. The most remarkable eruption of Etna in modern times 
 occurred in 1669. It was preceded by an earthquake which 
 leveled to the ground all the houses in Nicolosi, a town situated 
 twenty miles distant. A fissure, six feet broad, and of unknown 
 depth, opened with a loud crash, and ran to within a mile of the 
 summit. A stream of lava flowed down the side of the mount- 
 ain, and, after destroying fourteen towns and villages' over- 
 whelmed a part of the city of Catania. This mass, at its en- 
 trance into the sea, was six hundred yards broad and forty feet 
 deep. The solid contents of this immense stream of lava is es- 
 timated at 93,838,590 cubic feet. 
 
 177. Volcanoes of Iceland. — Iceland, in the North Atlantic, 
 oeems to form a volcanic region by itself. From the beginning 
 of the twelfth century, there is clear evidence that, during the 
 whole period, there has never been an interval of more than forty, 
 
 Questions. — 176. Eruption of 1669 ? How preceded ? Destruction caused ? Amount 
 of lava ? 177. Iceland ? Frequency of eruptions ? Energy of volanic action ? Eavagea 
 o< earthquakes? New islands? 
 
56 GEYSEES. 
 
 and very rarely one of twenty years, without either an eniption 
 or a great earthquake. So intense is the energy of the volcanic 
 action in this region, that some eruptions of Hecla have lasted 
 six years without ceasing. Earthquakes have often shaken the 
 whole island at once, causing great changes in the interior, such 
 as the sinking down of hills, the rending of mountains, the de- 
 sertion by rivers of their channels, and the appearance ot new 
 lakes. New islands have often been thrown up near the coast, 
 some of which still exist ; while others have disappeared, either 
 by subsidence or the action of the waves.* 
 
 178. The greatest eruption on record proceeded from Skaptar 
 Jokul, in Iceland, in 1783. The lava flowed in two nearly oppo- 
 site streams, fifty miles in one direction and forty in the other. 
 The breadth which one branch attained in the low countries was 
 from twelve to fifteen miles, that of the other about seven. The 
 ordinary height of both currents was one hundred feet, but in 
 narrow defiles it sometimes amounted to six hundred. It has 
 been calculated that the mass of lava thrown out during this 
 eruption surpassed in magnitude the bulk of Mont Blanc. 
 
 179. The eruption of Skaptar Jokul did not entirely cease till 
 the end of two years ; and when the tract was visited eleven 
 years afterward, columns of smoke were found still rising from 
 parts of the lava. The destruction of life and property was im- 
 mense. No less than twenty villages were destroyed, besides 
 those inundated by water. More than nine thousand human 
 beings — nearly one fifth the entire population — ^perished, together 
 with an immense number of cattle, partly by the depredations of 
 the lava, partly by the noxious vapors which impregnated the air, 
 and, in part, by the famine caused by showers of ashes through- 
 out the island, and the desertion of the coasts by the fish. 
 
 180. Geysers. — The term Geyser is from the Icelandic geysa, 
 which signifies to rage, or burst forth impetuously. It is applied 
 to the hot springs which occur in a remarkable group of fifty or 
 
 Questions. — ITS. Eruption of Skaptar .JoktiX? Give particulars of the flow of the lava. 
 Breadth and depth of the lava currents? 1T9. Duration of the eruption? Destruction of 
 life and property ? 180. The term Geyser, how derived ? To what applied ? Inregular 
 action of geysers ? 
 
 ♦ Sir Charles LyeU. 
 
EAKTHQUAKES. 67 
 
 more in Iceland, about thirty-six miles from Hecla. Geysers 
 are not constantly active ; few of them play longer than five or 
 SIX minutes at a time, although sometimes half an hour. The 
 grand eruptions are often after intervals of a day or two. 
 
 181. The Great Geyser has a basin at its summit sixty feet in 
 diameter, and six or seven deep. At the bottom of the basin 
 there is a well or funnel, ten feet wide at the mouth, but gradu- 
 ally narrowing to seven or eight, with a perpendicular descent 
 of seventy feet. The eruptions are preceded by subterraneous 
 noises like the distant firing of cannon, and shakings of the 
 earth. The sound then increases and becomes more violent, till 
 at length a column of water is thrown up to the height of one or 
 two hundred feet. After the water ceases to play, a column of 
 steam, rushing up with amazing force and thundering sound, ter- 
 minates the eruption.* 
 
 LESSON XYI. 
 
 EARTHQUAKES. 
 
 182. Earthquakes appear to be due to the same cause which 
 occasions a volcanic eruption, namely, the energy of elastic va- 
 pors struggling to find a vent from beneath the surface of the 
 earth. They are most common in volcanic districts ; but those at 
 a greater distance from volcanoes are more violent, as if the lat- 
 ter afforded passage for the eruptive energy, which, at other 
 points, cracked and upheaved the surface in effecting its disen- 
 gagement. 
 
 183. The best proof that earthquakes and volcanoes have a 
 similar origin is the constancy with which they attend each other. 
 A few examples are selected in illustration 
 
 184. The same night Lima was destroyed by an earthquake, four new vol- 
 canic vents were found in the Andes. Soon after the earthqualte at Lisbon, 
 
 Qiiestirms. — 181. Give particulars of the Great Gi'ys;T. Describe the eruptions. 1S3. 
 To what ()(i earthquakes appear to be due? Where most comioon ? Where most violent, 
 and why ? 1S3. Best proof that volcanoes and earthquakes have a similar origin ? 184 
 What examples are given in illustration ? 
 
 * Sir Charles LvelU 
 3* 
 
58 EARTHQUAKES. 
 
 in 1755, there happened some of the most violent eruptions that ever afflict- 
 ed the world. Thirty days after the destruction of the city of Caracas, 
 the volcano of St. Vincent became active ; and at the moment it broke forth, 
 the earth was shaken over an extent of nearly 20,000 square miles. 
 
 185. Earthquakes differ greatly in intensity. The agitation 
 is sometimes so weak as to be scarcely sensible ; at other times 
 it is so violent as to overturn cities, prostrate trees, turn the course 
 of rivers, and change the entire aspect of a country. 
 
 186. The movements of the surface during an earthquake are 
 various — vertical, horizontal, and undulatory, or whirling. Low 
 rumbling noises resembling distant thunder, or sharp sounds re- 
 sembling the clankmg of chains and discharges of artillery, are 
 commonly heard m great convulsions. 
 
 187. The violence of an earthquake seldom lasts more than a 
 minute ; but successive shocks are sometimes felt at very short 
 intervals. The most destructive earthquakes are the shortest in 
 duration, amounting to little more than the paroxysm of a few 
 moments. 
 
 188. The great earthquake of Lisbon, Noveraber 1, 1755, was over in about 
 six minutes ; the three shocks which reduced the city of Caracas to ruins, 
 March 26, 1812, transpired in the space of fifty seconds; and the principal 
 convulsion which leveled the citj' of Conception with the ground, February 
 20, 1835, lasted but six seconds. 
 
 189. In some countries, earthquakes of greater or less vio- 
 lence occur almost daily. At Lima, on the Peruvian coast, an 
 average of forty-five shocks may be expected in the year. At 
 Coquimbo, on the coast of Chile, there were noticed during one 
 year not less than sixty-one convulsions, not including the slight- 
 er ones, which were even more numerous. 
 
 190. Among the remarkable phenomena attending earthquakes 
 may be reckoned the permanent elevation and depression of 
 large areas of land, the opening of extensive fissures, great 
 oceanic waves, etc. 
 
 191. The earthquake of Chile, in 1822, agitated the coast for 
 
 Qufifrftov)!. — ^'•5. Intensity of eariliqiiakes ? 1S6. Movements of the surfiioe during: an 
 eariliqniikn? IS'nisfS pommonly hf ard in great oonvnisions? 1S7. Violence of an larih- 
 qn;ikeV W.iac is said of the most destructive eartliquakesV 1S8. Examples? 1S9 Fre- 
 quency of eartliqiiakes in some countries? .Average annual number at Lima? Number 
 of convulsions noticed in one year at Coquimbo? 190. Phenomena attending earth- 
 quakes? 191. Earthquake of Chile In 1S22? Give particulars. 
 
KAKTHQUAKES. 59 
 
 a distance of 1,000 miles. The rise upon the coast was from 
 two to four feet : — at the distance of a mile inland it was sup- 
 posed to be nearly twice as many. It has been conjectured 
 that the area over which this permanent alteration of level ex- 
 tended may have been equal to 100,000 square miles. 
 
 192. Numerous instances of the depression of land have oc- 
 curred. During the great earthquake at Lisbon, in 1755, the new 
 quay subsided, and its place was occupied by water 600 feet 
 deep. In 1819, a region of 2,000 square miles, near the mouth 
 of the Indus, embracing the Fort of Sindree, was submerged, 
 the Ullah Bund, a mound near by, rising as a compensating 
 elevation. 
 
 193. Clefts or fissures are frequently formed by earthquakes, 
 in which houses, trees, animals, and men have been ingulfed in 
 an instant ; the earth sometimes closing up, and no vestige of 
 them remaining on the surface. The great earthquake of Cala- 
 bria, in 1783, furnished numerous instances of such chasms. 
 
 194. The neighboring waters of the ocean, during an earth- 
 quake, are strongly agitated. During the earthquake at Lisbon 
 a great wave swept over the coast of Spain, and is said to have 
 been sixty feet high at Cadiz. At Tangier, in Africa, it rose 
 and fell eighteen times on the coast : at Funchal, in Madeira, it 
 rose fifteen feet perpendicular above high-water mark. 
 
 195. Earthquakes have caused an immense destruction of life 
 and property, and in some parts of the world, as in South Amer- 
 \ca, the inhabitants are in constant apprehension of danger. 
 
 196. During the earthquake which visited Peru, in 1746, 3,800 of the in- 
 habitants perished. In 1797, Peru was visited by another earthquake, on 
 which occasion 16,000 persons perished. The earthquake at Caracas, in 
 1812, destroyed 10,000 inhabitants. The great earthquake at Lisbon, in 
 1765, destroyed 60,000 persons in the course of about six minutes. The 
 number of persons lost during the earthquake in the two Calabrias and 
 Sicily, in 1783, is estimated at 40,000, and about 20,000 more died by epi- 
 demics which resulted from it. 
 
 Queiiions. — ^192. Give the examples of permanent land depression. 193. What is said 
 of clefts or Assures ? 194. Example of oceanic movements caused by earthquakes 1 195. 
 Fatal eflFects of earthquakes ? 196. Number of persons who perished during the earth- 
 quake of Peru, in 1746? In 1797? During the earthquake at Caracas, in 1S12 ? During 
 the earthquake at Lisbon, in 1755 ? During the earthquake of the two Calabrias, iu 1783 f 
 
PART II. 
 
 THE WATERS. 
 
 LESSON I. 
 
 CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF WATER. 
 
 \f) 
 
 ATER which is necessary to 
 the support of animal and veg- 
 etablo life, is very widely dif- 
 fused and copiously supplied. It 
 is found in three forms : vapor- 
 ous in the atmosphere, solid in 
 icG and snow, and liquid in riv- 
 ers and seas. It belongs to this 
 part of physical geography to 
 treat of it in the last condition. 
 
 198. Water is composed of 
 two gases, oxygen and hydrogen, in the proportion of eight parts 
 of the former to one of the latter. It is one oi the most marvel- 
 ous facts in the natural world, that, though hydrogen is highly 
 inflammable, and oxygen is a supporter of combustion, both, com- 
 bined in water, form an element destructive to fire. By pro- 
 cesses well known to the chemist, water may be readily resolved 
 into its constituent elements. 
 
 199. Pure water is destitute of color, taste, and smell. Ifc 
 seldom occurs, however, in this state, but contains various ingre- 
 dients, derived either from the atmosphere or from the earth. 
 
 QueeUons.—XQ'l. What is said of water? In what three forms is it found? 198. Of 
 •what is wjittr composed ? What marvelous ftict is stnted respeelin^ water ? 199. What is 
 the character of pure water ? Does it comnioiily oecur in this state ? What kind of water 
 is the purest ? What do spring and well water contain ? To what is the brackish taste of 
 wells in limestone countries owing ? By what is the character of river-water determined? 
 
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF WATER. 61 
 
 Rain-water is tlie purest that can be obtained except by distilla- 
 tion. Spring and well water contain many earthy substances in 
 solution. The brackish taste of wells in countries abounding with 
 limestone is owing to the presence of that substance. River- 
 water has its character determined by the soil and vegetation of 
 the country through which it flows. 
 
 200. The waters of the globe are divided into the fresh and 
 salt. The fresh waters include those of all streams and rivers, 
 nearly all the springs, and the greater number of lakes and 
 marshes. They are so called because they contain no amount 
 of saline matter unfitting them for use. It is supposed that the 
 lakes of North America contain more than half the amount of 
 fresh water on the face of the globe. 
 
 201. Salt water, is that which fills the vast basins of the 
 ocean, besides numerous lakes and springs : it forms by far the 
 largest portion of the liquid element. The proportion of saline 
 matter which the ocean contains is about 3^ per cent. The prin- 
 cipal salts contained in sea-water are common salt (chloride of 
 sodmm), Glauber's salt (sulphate of soda), Epsom salt (sulphate 
 of magnesia), chloride of magnesium, sulphate and carbonate of 
 lime, — common salt being the most considerable in amount. Sup- 
 posing the sea to have a mean depth of 1,000 feet, it has been 
 calculated that the amount of common salt it would contain would 
 be equal, in extent, to five times the mass of the Alps, or one- 
 third less than that of the Himalaya Mountains. 
 
 202. Oceanic waters in different places vary in the quantity of 
 saline matter they contain. From various observations, it appears 
 that the degree of saltness diminishes toward the poles, and 
 also near the shores. This is owing to the melting of snow and 
 ice, and to the volumes of fresh water poured in by the rivers. 
 It is also ascertained that the waters of the southern hefnisphere 
 contain more salt than those of the northern, while the Atlantic 
 is in excess of the Pacific. 
 
 iions. — 200. How are the waters of tbe globe divided ? What do the fresh waters 
 include? Why are they so celled ? What is said of the hikes of North America? 201. 
 What is said of salt water? What proportion of saline ins;redients does it contain ? What 
 are the principal salts In sea-water? Which is the most considerable in amount? Ilkis- 
 trate. 202. How do oceanic waters vary ? Where is the saltness ot the ocean found to 
 diminish ? Cause ? Between what other regions is the saltness unequal ? 
 
62 CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF WATEK. 
 
 203. Salt water has an extensive distribution in lakes and 
 springs, and these are remarkable for the great proportion of 
 saline matter they contain. The western part of Asia and the 
 southern part of Russia constitute the great salt-water lake region 
 of the globe. The Caspian Sea, lakes Aral, Urumiah, Elton, and 
 the Dead Sea occur in this district. Some of these waters are 
 so salt as to irritate the skin. Fish can not live in them, and if 
 a bird dips in their surface, its wings, on drying, are incrusted 
 with salt. The waters of the Dead Sea contain about 25 per 
 cent, of saline matter. Lake Elton, in the steppe east of the 
 Volga, is more strongly impregnated with saline ingredients than 
 any other known example, containing 29 per cent. 
 
 204. Water is one of the most widely diffused bodies in 
 nature. We have seen (12) that the surface of the earth is es- 
 timated to contain 196,500,000 square miles, and that the dry 
 land occupies only about 51,000,000 — leaving 145,500,000 square 
 miles to be occupied by the fluid element. 
 
 205. The benevolence of the Deity is manifest in the wide 
 diffusion of this element over the globe. As a nutritive or ali- 
 mentary substance, it is indispensable both to the animal and the 
 vegetable world. It serves invaluable purposes in the arts and 
 manufactures ; in its application as a motive power ; and, when 
 occurring in large bodies, in the form of rivers, lakes, and seas, 
 as a medium for the more rapid or more commodious transport 
 of goods or persons from one locality to another. To the vast 
 reservoir of the ocean we are indebted for the clouds which 
 carry the moisture from the sea and let it down upon the parched 
 and thirsty earth in refreshing rain ; indeed, when we study the 
 uses and properties of water, and notice how universally it is 
 supplied to the inhabitants of the earth in the conditions best 
 adapted to their wants and necessities, we can but be filled with 
 gratitude to Him by whom it was so created and distributed. 
 
 Questions.— 20S. What is said of salt lakes and springs? Where is the great salt-water 
 lake region? Examples. 204. Diffusion of water? Extent of the liquid element? 20& 
 Mention some of the uses of water 
 
■^-fru-.-€X,7j:Ci7rdi:i^.jTo^-b:xat'Cciicire.^s.iTLTj^eTca 
 
 'i^L'o-irLrf-.r-O.ei-r;^- Q-rficc jTrlie^istriccCoTjrtc^-^LeV-iXCcd.STatadfcTr-^ieSnu-&ur7i7 
 
MINERAL SPEINGS. 63 
 
 LESSON II. 
 
 MINERAL SPRINGS. 
 
 206. Mineral waters may be divided into four classes : (1) 
 acidulous, such as contain carbonic acid ; (2) chalybeate, or 
 springs holding in solution either the carbonate or the sulphate 
 of iron ; (3) sulphurous, or springs containing either sulphureted 
 hydrogen, or sulphate of lime, etc., and which are distinguished 
 by their repulsive smell ; and (4) saline, or springs holding in 
 solution a considerable portion of neutral salts, which render 
 them hard, and impart to them a disagreeable taste, unfitting 
 them for a beverage, or for culinary purposes. 
 
 207. Acidulous waters present a sparkling appearance which 
 they owe to the presence of carbonic acid gas. This gas is 
 very plentifully disengaged from springs in almost all countries, 
 but more particularly in the vicinity of active or extinct volcanoes. 
 Acidulated waters sparkle when poured from one vessel into 
 another. A remarkable spring containing water of this descrip- 
 tion occurs in Asia Minor, near Kiz-hisar, which rises very cold, 
 but bubbles up exactly like a boiling caldron. A small river in 
 South America, a tributary of the Magdalena, which rises in a 
 volcanic mountain, has its waters so greatly impregnated with 
 this gas, that the Spaniards call it Vinagre (vinegar). 
 
 208. Chalyheate springs are such as contain oxide of iron ; 
 the term is, however, occasionally applied to springs containing 
 other substances. The springs at Tonbridge Wells, and Brighton, 
 England, belong to this class. 
 
 209. Sulphurous springs are so named because they contain 
 sulphur, which usually occurs in the form of sulphureted hydro- 
 gen, or of sulphate of lime. Of the springs of this class are 
 those of Harrowgate, and St. Bernard's Well, England. Sul- 
 phurous springs are very numerous in volcanic countries. 
 
 210. Saline springs contain a greater or less proportion of chlo- 
 
 §K«.v</(77!S.—2n6. Mineral wiiters, how divide<l ? Acidulous? Chalybeatti? Sul|iliiirons? 
 Saline? 207. Appniirance of aeidulous waters? Carbonic acid gas? Sprins near Kiz- 
 hisar? A river in South America? 208. Chalybeate springs ? Examples. 2119. Sulphur- 
 ous sprinjrs? Examples. Where numerous ? 210. Saline springs? Quantity of salt they 
 sometimes contain ? Springs at Salina and Syracuse ? On the Great and Little Kanawha? 
 At Droitwich.' 
 
64: MINERAL SPRINGS. 
 
 ride of sodium, or common salt, and are very generally diffused 
 throughout the surface of the earth. So great is the quantity of 
 chloride of sodium in some of these springs, that they yield one 
 fourth of their weight in salt. The springs situated at Salina 
 and Syracuse, in the State of New York, are noted examples of 
 this class. The prmcipal spring at Salina village affords an in- 
 exhaustible supply of water, yielding to every forty gallons about 
 one bushel of pure salt. In 1850 there were, manufactured at 
 these springs over 3^ millions of bushels of salt. Salt springs 
 occur also on the Great and Little Kanawha rivers, in Virginia, 
 which yield about one bushel of salt from every 60 or 70 gallons 
 of brine. At Droitwich, England, is a celebrated brine spring 
 which produces annually about 700,000 bushels of salt. 
 
 211. Besides the springs above described, there are others 
 whose waters are .impregnated with various mineral substances 
 which impart to them medicinal properties, as those at Chelten- 
 ham, England, at Carlsbad, Germany, and at other places. 
 
 212. The mineral springs of the United States are numerous 
 and valuable : they are extensively distributed, but those of New 
 York and Virginia are the most celebrated., Among those in the 
 State of Nev/ York are, the chalybeate springs of Saratoga, the 
 sulphur springs of Sharon, Avon, and Clifton, and the petrifying 
 springs of Madison and Saratoga counties. Saratoga is remark- 
 able for the number and variety of its springs, the waters of 
 which are celebrated for their medicinal properties. 
 
 213. Among the most celebrated of the springs at Saratoga, axe Con- 
 gress Spring, High Bock Spring, Hamilton Spring, Putnam's Spring. 
 Iodine Spring, Pavilion Spring, and Empire Spring, not any two of 
 which are alike in the composition of their waters. Congress Spring is the 
 general favorite of visitors; it is highly acidulous. Hamilton, Putnam, and 
 Pavilion springs are chalybeate. Iodine Spring contains but a small propor- 
 tion of iron, and may be drank by a certain class of invalids, with whom 
 iron proves a decided injury. 
 
 214. Virginia abounds with mineral springs, but the best 
 .known are the White and Blue Sulphur Springs of Greenbrier 
 County, the Salt and Red Sulphur, and the Sweet in Monroe 
 
 Qiief<tions.—2n. Other kinds of mineral springs? 212. Mineral springs of the Dnilod 
 States ? What noted springs in the State of New York ? For what is Saratoga remark- 
 able? 21S. Which are the most celebrated springs at Saratoga? 2U. Principal springs in 
 Virginia? 
 
EIVEES. 
 
 65 
 
 County, Hot and Warm in Bath, Berkley in Morgan, Fauquier 
 White Sulphur in Fauquier, Shannondale in Frederick, Alum in 
 Rockbridge, Jordon's White Sulphur in Frederick, Red in Alle- 
 ghany, Grayson in Carroll, Botetourt in Roanoke, Holston in 
 Scott, Augusta Springs and Daggus Springs in Botetourt. 
 
 LESSON III. 
 
 215. Rivers commonly take 
 their rise in springs, lakes, or the 
 thawed ice and snow of ele- 
 vated mountains. The smaller 
 streams which unite to form 
 them, are variously called rills, 
 rivulets, and brooks. Though 
 rivers frequently rise in lakes, 
 or spring from small elevations, 
 the great storehouses from which 
 the mightiest streams are fed are 
 the ice-clad mountains of table- 
 lands. 
 
 216. The basin of a river 
 comprehends the entire country 
 drained by it and its tributaries. 
 The elevated land separating 
 one basin from another is called the water-parting or watershed, 
 of which the ridge of a house-roof affords an illustration. This 
 is sometimes a lofty range of mountains, as the Alps, streams 
 from which flow into opposite and distant seas. But commonly 
 a water-parting has no great elevation, a slight rise of the sur- 
 face being sufficient to se'parate streams whose mouths are thou- 
 
 Lodore "Waterfall. 
 
 Questions. — 215. Where do rivers commnnly taUe their rise ? What are the great store- 
 houses from which they are fed? 216. What is the basin of a river? The wuter-parting 
 or watershed ? What elevated water-parting is mentiohed? Have water-partings com- 
 monly a great elevation ? What rare example is mentioned of two river basins being con- 
 nected by a navigable natural channel ? 
 
66 
 
 EIVEES, 
 
 sands of miles apart. South America presents tlie rare example 
 of two river-basins connected by a navigable natural channel. 
 This is caused by the river Orinoco branching off in its upper 
 course and proceeding by different channels to the sea. 
 
 217. South America is remarkable for containing the largest 
 river-basin in the world, that of the Amazon, measuring 2,275,000 
 square miles. Next to it, in point of extent, is the basin of the 
 Mississippi and Missouri, in North America, measuring 1,333,000 
 square miles. The greatest river-basin in Asia is that of the 
 Obi, 1,250,000 square miles ; the greatest in Africa is that of 
 the Nile, supposed to contain 1,240,000 square miles; and the 
 greatest in Europe is that of the Volga, 528,000 square miles. 
 
 218. The course of rivers is commonly winding. In some 
 cases it is so tortuous that its actual length is three times that 
 
 of a straight line drawn from its 
 source to its mouth, as the Forth 
 in Scotland ; in others, as the Hud- 
 son, — it is mainly straight. The 
 Mississippi River is remarkable 
 for its windings, or bends, as they 
 are locally called. 
 
 219 In 1848, the Raccourci 
 Cut-off, an artificial channel, was 
 made in this stream a little below 
 the confluence of the Red River. 
 The distance, about 30 miles, in 
 the old channel a common steam- 
 boat would be three hours in going 
 round, and now one can run through 
 the cut-off in ten minutes up, and 
 in two or three minutes down. 
 The passage was at first a narrow 
 one, but it has become so widened 
 and deepened by the force of the current that the largest trees 
 
 Wiiia;iif<s of tne liiiisissip 
 
 Qu-est/ons.— 21'. For wh:it is Si>uth America rem;irk:ible V Extent of the basin of the 
 Amazon ? Of the Mississippi and Missouri ? The greatest river-biisin in Asia, and its ex- 
 tent? In Africa, and its siippiised extent? In Europe, and il8 extent? 21S. What is said 
 of the course of rivers ? The Forth in Scoaaud ? The Hudson ? The Mississippi ? 219. 
 Eaccourei Cut-off? 
 
EIVEKS. 67 
 
 of the forest will go down root foremost, and the tops of them 
 will disappear. 
 
 220. The actual meanderings of the Missouri and the Missis- 
 sippi, or the difference between the direct distance from the 
 source of the former to the mouth of the latter and that by their 
 channels, is estimated at 2,148 geographical miles. The mean- 
 derings of the other principal streams, including that of their 
 tributaries, are given approximately in the following table :* 
 
 Eiveia, Meamlering. 
 
 Rhine 240 geographical miles. 
 
 Elbe 840 
 
 Rhone 352 
 
 Dnieper --- 532 " " 
 
 Don 552 
 
 Danube 616 " " 
 
 Ganges 856 " " 
 
 Indus 864 
 
 Euphrates 892 
 
 La Plata 892 
 
 Nile 920 
 
 Orinoco 984 " " 
 
 Lena 1,004 
 
 Obi 1,044 
 
 Mackenzie ,...1,156 " ". 
 
 Hoang-Ho 1,160 
 
 Volga 1,440 
 
 Amazon - 1,562 
 
 Yenesei 1,572 « « 
 
 221. The windings of rivers greatly augment their utility by 
 affording facilities for a more extended intercommunication, and 
 by diminishing that velocity of current which would otherwise 
 be such, in many streams, as to prevent their being bridged or 
 navigated with safety. This arrangement affords a striking evi- 
 dence of the wisdom and goodness of the Creator. 
 
 Questionn.—2-20. Meanderings of the Mississippi? Other rivers? 221. How do the 
 windings of rivers augment their utility? How must we regard this arrangement? 
 
 • For the length of the principal rivers-of the world, including their meanders, SM 
 Appendix, page 221. 
 
EIVEES. 
 
 LESSON IV. 
 
 RIVERS — [continued). 
 
 222. The fall of rivers is 
 the difference of level between 
 their source and mouth : it va- 
 nes from a fe\y feet to many 
 thousauds. That of the Vol- 
 ga, in Europe, amounts to only 
 633 feet in a course of 2,200 
 miles, about three and one 
 eight inches to a mile ; on the 
 other hand, the Ganges, in 
 Asia, falls 13,672 feet in a 
 course of 1,680 miles, or more 
 than eight feet to a mile. It 
 IS m the upper courses of riv- 
 ers, in mountainous or hilly 
 regions, that the chief portion 
 of fall is accomplished, while 
 the lower courses have a placid flow, suitable for navigation. 
 
 223. A rapid is a rush or fall of water where the bed of a 
 river has a moderate inclination : a cataract is where it has a 
 steeper descent, or a vertical depression. Falls formed by rivu- 
 lets or mountain torrents receive the name of cascades. 
 
 224. Cataracts are among the most sublime objects of nature, 
 the effect they produce in the mind of the beholder depending 
 more on the volume of water than the distance of the descent. 
 Though they are to be found in all countries, those of North 
 America are by far the most extensive and picturesque. 
 
 225. The Falls of Niagara, in the river of the same name which 
 connects Lake Erie with Lake Ontario, constitute one of the grand- 
 est natural spectacles on the globe. The river, which is about 
 
 Questions. — 222. What is the fall of rivers, and how does it vary? What ia that of the 
 Volga ? The Ganges ? Where is the chief rortion of fall accomplished ? 228. What is a 
 rapid? A catarac-t? Cascade?^ 224. Where are the greatest cataracts ? 225. What i« 
 said of the falls of Niagara ? Describe it. 
 
 Falls ot the Minnehdlia 
 
EIVEES. 
 
 69 
 
 three quarters of a mile wide, after forming a succession of rap- 
 ids, falls suddenly to a depth of 153 feet. The cataract is divided 
 by Goat Island into two parts. The largest of these, on the 
 Canadian side, called, from its shape, the Horse-Shoe Fall, is 
 1,800 feet, more than one third of a mile, broad, and 153 feet in 
 height. The fall, on the American side, is 600 feet in breadth 
 and 164 feet in height. A cloud of mist points out the locality 
 of the cataract, and, under favorable circumstances, its roar may 
 be heard, it is said, at a distance of 40 miles. 
 
 226. The Falls of St. Anthony, in the Mississippi, about 400 
 miles from its source, and just above the mouth of the St. Peters, 
 st;ind nearly at the head of the navigation of that stream. They 
 have a descent of from 17 to 20 feet, and are thus described by a 
 recent traveler : " Above the falls, the river is about six hundred 
 yards in width. In its descent, it is divided by Cataract Island, 
 a high rocky mass covered with trees and shrubbery. All around 
 this island, above and below, are strewn huge masses of lime- 
 stone rocks, heaped in Titanic confusion, and attesting the might- 
 iness of the. water with which they seem to be contending." 
 
 Questimu—^iQ. Give particulars of the Falls of St Anthony. 
 
70 
 
 RIVEES. 
 
 , «* 
 
 *. ■* 
 
 4 ^*« » '^ 
 
 ,>: - 
 
 227. Among the other 
 noted falls in America are 
 those of the Missouri, 500 
 miles from its source, a 
 succession of rapids and 
 cataracts, 26,47, and 87 ft. 
 in perpendicular height ; 
 the rapids of St. Law- 
 rence, above Montreal, 
 extending about 9 miles ; 
 the Great and Little Falls 
 of the Potomac, in Mary- 
 land ; the Falls of Mont- 
 morenci, near Quebec, 
 which descend 240 feet 
 in an unbroken sheet ; and 
 the Cataract of Tequen- 
 dama, in the environs of 
 Santa Fe de Bogota, a 
 magnificent fall of 574 ft. 
 
 228. The Great Falls of the Missouri are the grandest in all 
 North America, those of Niagara excepted ; and although the 
 latter exceed the former with respect to volume of water, depth 
 of descent, and awful grandeur, yet the former are far more di- 
 versified and beautiful. These falls are within sixty geograph- 
 ical miles of the easternmost range of the Rocky Mountains. 
 They were discovered by Captain Lewis while engaged in ex- 
 ploring the Missouri. Hearing a sound like that of a fall of 
 water, he proceeded in the direction of it. As he advanced, a 
 spray arose above the plain like a column of smoke, and vanish- 
 ed in an instant. Toward this point he directed his steps ; and 
 having traveled seven miles after first hearing the sound, he 
 reached the falls about mid-day. The hills as he approached 
 were difficult of access, and 200 feet high. Down these he hur- 
 ried with impatience, and seating himself on some rocks under 
 the center of the falls, enjoyed the sublime spectacle of this 
 
 Falls 01 H rtmorenci 
 
 Questinnx.— 227 Other nnU-d falls in America? 22S. The Great Falls of the Missouri ? 
 Give an account of us discuvery. 
 
RIVEES. 
 
 71 
 
 stupendous cataract which, since the creation,has been lavishing 
 its magnificence on the desert, unknown to civilization. 
 
 229. The principal water- _ ^^^ - 
 
 falls of the Eastern Conti- 
 nent are Terni, Italy, a 
 fall of the Velino, of 300 
 feet, usually regarded as the 
 finest European cataract ; 
 Staubach, near Lauterbrun- 
 nen, in Switzerland, a per- 
 pendicular descent of 800 
 feet ; Rhinefall, near Schaff- 
 hausen, a fall of the river 
 Rhine in three distinct 
 branches over a precipice 
 upwards of 80 feet high ; 
 Reichenbach, canton of 
 Bern, a series of six falls, 
 amounting to 1,000 feet; 
 Ache, a small river of Ba- ReichenlDach. 
 
 varia, descending in five falls 2,000 feet; Evanson, a torrent of 
 Mount Rosa, 1,100 feet; Cauvery, southern India, two grand falls 
 near Seringapatam, 810 feet; Girsupah, near a town of that name 
 in the western Ghauts, a single fall of a considerable stream, 
 872 feet. 
 
 LESSON V. 
 
 RIVERS — [continued). 
 
 230. The termination of rivers is commonly by a single mouth, 
 as in the instances of the St. Lawrence and the Hudson ; but 
 many streams, flowmg through alluvial regions, carry along 
 sedimentary accumulations which they deposit at their mouths, 
 producing formations of land, and dividing the main stream into 
 
 QueMionn. — 229. Give Ihe particulars of the followins; falls and rapids: Tfrni, Staubach, 
 Rhinefall, Eeichenbach, Ache, Evanson, Cauvery, Girsupah. 230. Terminatiun of rivers? 
 Sedimentary accumulations 1 Deltas 7 
 
72 
 
 KIVEES. 
 
 branches. Such formations are called deltas, from their corre- 
 spondence to the shape of the Greek letter A (delta). 
 
 231. The delta of the Mis- 
 
 sissippi consists of a long, nar- 
 row tongue of land protruding 
 for 50 miles into the Gulf of 
 Mexico, at the end of which 
 are numerous channels of dis- 
 charge. This extensi\x for- 
 ^' mation has been produced by 
 3^ the deposit of the sedimentary- 
 matter brought down by that 
 mighty stream. The rate of 
 permanent advance of the new 
 
 
 -T-h^\a Kviss =i= 
 
 I-'elta cf tile Mississippi. 
 
 land has been very slow, not exceeding, it is supposed, one mile 
 in a century.* 
 
 232. It has been calculated that the mean annual amount of 
 solid matter which the water of the Mississippi contains is about 
 72^4 5 °f i^s weight, and that it is equal to about ■g-oVo' °^ ^^^ '^'^l" 
 mne. It has also been estimated that the quantity of solid mat- 
 ter annually brought down by the river is 3,702,758,400 cubic 
 feet, an amount which would cover over eleven miles square one 
 foot deep. 
 
 233. The waters of the Gan- 
 ges contain a very large quantity 
 of sedimentary matter, particu- 
 larly during the season of the 
 rams, which lasts about four 
 months. The average quantity 
 of solid matter suspended in the 
 water during such times was by 
 weight xlgth part; and the solid 
 Delta cf the Ganges. matter discharged is ^i^th part 
 
 in bulk, or 577 cubic feet per second. The total annual amount 
 
 QueMhms. — 231. Delta of the Mississippi ? The rate of its formation ? 232. Proportion 
 of the sedinient-Trj' matter? Amount annually tirought down? 233. Sedimentary mutter 
 in the Ganges ? Total annual amount ? The Hoang-Ho ? 
 
 * Sir Charles LyelL 
 
EIVEE8. 73 
 
 of mud discharged is estimated at 6,368,077,440 cubic feet, a 
 mass equal in weight and bulk, it has been calculated, to eighty- 
 two of the great pyramids of Egypt. The Hoang-Ho, which 
 traverses the great alluvial plain of China, is supposed to bring 
 down in one hour 2,000,000 cubic feet of earth, which so thick- 
 ens and colors the ocean by its discharges as to originate the 
 name of the Yellow Sea. 
 
 234. Rivers are grouped into two grand classes, the oceanic 
 and the continental. Oceanic rivers are those which flow direct 
 into the ocean, or into waters communicating with it. They 
 form four distinct systems, belonging respectively to the Arctic, 
 Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans. 
 
 I. System of the Arctic Ocean. 
 
 Length in 
 Kivers. Course. Termination. Englisli 
 
 Miles. 
 
 Lena Eastern Siberia Arctic Ocean 2,400 
 
 Olenek Northern Siberia Ditto 1,150 
 
 Yenesei Central Siberia Ditto 2,900 
 
 Obi Western Siberia Gulf of Obi 2,530 
 
 Petcliora Northern Russia Arctic Ocean 695 
 
 Dwina Ditto White Sea 760 
 
 Mackenzie British America Arctic Ocean 2,160 
 
 IL System of the Atlantic Ocean. 
 
 Neva Northern Russia Gulf of Finland. . . 45 
 
 Vistula Poland, Prussia Baltic Sea 630 
 
 Elbe Germany German Ocean 690 
 
 Rhine Switzerland and Germany. Ditto 760 
 
 Loire France Bay of Biscay 570 
 
 Rhone Switzerland, France Mediterranean 490 
 
 Danube Austrian Empire, Turkey .Black Sea 1,630 
 
 Dnieper Southern Russia Ditto 1,200 
 
 Don Ditto Ditto 1,100 
 
 Nile (Blue N-) Abyssinia, Nubia, Egypt.. Meditei-ranean 2,600 
 
 Senegal AVestern Africa Atlantic Ocean 900 
 
 Niger Ditto Gulf of Guinea ... 2,300 
 
 Gariep Southern Africa Atlantic Ocean 1 ,060 
 
 Saskatchewan British America Hudson's Bay 1,920 
 
 St. Lawrence Ditto Atlantic Ocean 2,060 
 
 Mississippi-Missouri . Central North America ...Gulf ot Mexico 4,100 
 
 Rio-del-Norte Mexico Ditto 1 ,400 
 
 Questions. — ^23-t. Kivers, how grouped? Oceanic rivers ? Systems? Name the princi- 
 pal rivers belonging to the system of the Arctic Ocean. Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Oceans 
 indiau Ocean. 
 
 4 
 
74: 
 
 K IVEES. 
 
 Length in 
 Kivers. Course. Termination. English 
 
 Miles. 
 
 IMagdalena New Granada Caribbean Sea . . . , 860 
 
 Orinoco Venezuela Atlantic Ocean 1,200 
 
 Amazon Brazil Ditto 3,900 
 
 Araguay Ditto Ditto 1,300 
 
 St. Francisco Ditto Ditto 1,500 
 
 Plata Ditto Ditto 2,850 
 
 III. System of the Pacific Ocean. 
 
 Amour Eastern Asia Sea of Okhotsk 2,300 
 
 Hoang-Ho China Yellow Sea. 2,600 
 
 Yang-tse-Kiang Ditto Ditto 3,200 
 
 Si-Kiang Ditto China Sea 1,110 
 
 Meinam Siam Gulf of Siam 900 
 
 Cambodia Tibet, Cochin China China Sea 2,000 
 
 Columbia Oregon , Pacific Ocean 750 
 
 Colorado Utah, New Mexico GuLf of California. . 900 
 
 IV. System of the Indian Ocean. 
 
 Euphrates "Western Asia Persian Gulf 1,600 
 
 Tigi'is Ditto Ditto 980 
 
 Indus Northern India Arabian Sea 1,700 
 
 Ganges Ditto Bay of Bengal 1,460 
 
 Brahmapootra Tibet, Assam Ditto 2,000 
 
 Irawaddy Tibet, Birman Empire Ditto 1,200 
 
 Murray South Australia Encounter Bay 1 ,280 
 
 235. Continental rivers are tliose which are confined exclu- 
 sively to the continents, and discharge themselves into completely- 
 insulated lakes, or are lost in sands, deserts, or swamps. The 
 principal continental rivers are stated in the following table : 
 
 Elvers. Course. Termination. 
 
 Volga European Russia Caspian. 
 
 Kour Georgia Ditto. 
 
 Terek Circassia Ditto. 
 
 Ural European and Asiatic Russia. Ditto. 
 
 Amoo, or Jihon (ancient Oxus) Turkestan Lake Aral. 
 
 Sir, or Sihoon Ditto Ditto. 
 
 Helmund Afghanistan Lake Zurrah. 
 
 Yarkand Central Asia Lake Iiopnor. 
 
 Many streams in Central Asia 
 terminate in insulated lakes, 
 or are lost in desert sands. . 
 
 Question. — 235. Continental rivers? Name Uie principal continental rivers, th0 coim-* 
 tries through which they flow, and their places of termination. 
 
mVEES. 
 
 75 
 
 Eivers. Course. Termination. 
 
 Jordan Palestine Dead Sea. 
 
 Streams north of the African 
 
 Sahara, lost in sands 
 
 Rio Grande : Mexico Lake Parras. 
 
 Desaguadero Bolivia Lakes and Swamps. 
 
 Humboldt's Utah Territory Lake. 
 
 Bear Ditto Great Salt Lake. 
 
 Many other streams in Utah 
 Territory are lost in sands, 
 marshes, or lakes. 
 
 236. The magnitude of rivers depends upon the area of their 
 basins, the rain-producing character of the climate, and the ar- 
 rangement of the surrounding mountains, with reference to the 
 prevaihng winds. Lieut. Maury thus accounts for the vast rivers 
 of the South American continent : " The northeast and southeast 
 trade-winds, as they come across the Atlantic, filled with moist- 
 ure, go full charged into the interior, dropping it in showers as 
 they go, until they reach the snow-capped summits -of the Andes, 
 where the last drop, which that very low temperature can wring 
 from them, is deposited to melt and feed the sources of the Ama- 
 zon and the La Plata, with their tributaries." 
 
 237. The proportional quantity of water discharged by some 
 of the principal rivers has been estimated as follows : 
 
 Thames 1 
 
 Rhine 13 
 
 Loire 10 
 
 Po 6 
 
 Elbe 8 
 
 Vistula 12 
 
 Danube 65 
 
 Dnieper 36 
 
 Don 38 
 
 Volga 80 
 
 Euphrates 60 
 
 Indus 133 
 
 Ganges 148 
 
 Yang-tse-Kiang .. . 258 
 
 Amour 166 
 
 Lena 125 
 
 Obi 179 
 
 Nile 250 
 
 St. Lawrence 112 
 
 Mississippi 338 
 
 Plata 490 
 
 Amazon 1,280 
 
 238. Many rivers are subject to periodical inundations. It is 
 to the annual overflowings of the Nile that Egypt owes her fer- 
 tility. The rise commences about the 21st of June, attains its 
 greatest height near the middle of September, and gradually di- 
 minishes to the time of the winter solstice. Both the Mississippi 
 and the Missouri have annual floods during the spring months. 
 
 -236. Upon what does the magnitude of rivers depend ? The large rivers 
 of South America? 237. State the proportional quantity of water discharged by some of the 
 principal rivers. 238. Inundations of rivers ? Overflowings of the Nile ? Of other rivers? 
 
76 NOKTH AMEEICAN RIVEKS. 
 
 Among the other streams subject to overflow are the Orinoco, 
 Amazon, Euphrates, Tigris, etc. 
 
 239. The following beautiful extract relates to the historic associations of 
 rivers : " The rivers of the old world, while subordinate to those of the neAV 
 in point of magnitude, have an historic and sacred interest in many instances 
 wholly wanting to the latter. The Danube recalls the struggle of the an- 
 cient civilization with overwhelming barbaric invasions; the Tiber revives 
 the story of Roman greatness ; the Nile associates itself with the colossal 
 power of the Pharaohs ; the Tigris and Euphrates are connected with the 
 mighty dynasties of Assyria and Babylon, the captivity of God's chosen peo- 
 ple, and that momentous hour when the hand of retributive justice unfolded 
 the doom of monarch and of nation at a profane festivity of the royal house ; 
 while the Jordan is imperishably linked with far more stupendous transac- 
 tions : the miracle which divided its waters at the ingress of Israel into the 
 land of promise ; and that voice from heaven which proclaimed the charac- 
 ter of the Messiah at his baptism in the stream, placing his right to the 
 universal homage of man, supported by the design of his mission, on the 
 firm ground of his Divine nature : ' This is my beloved Son, in whom I am 
 well pleased.' "* 
 
 LESSON VI. 
 
 THE RIVER SYSTEMS OF THE AVESTERN CONTINENT. 
 
 240. In no other portion of the world are rivers found upon so 
 magnificent a scale as on the continent of North and South Amer- 
 ica. The magnitude of these streams is owing to a variety of 
 causes, some of which, as the situation and direction of the great 
 mountain ranges, the extent of the river-basins, etc., have already 
 been described: others, from their intimate connection with the 
 phenomena of wind, rain, etc., will be explained in the chapters 
 devoted to those subjects. 
 
 241. North American Rivers. — The continent of North 
 America may, with reference to its drainage, be divided into four 
 grand divisions : (1) The Atlantic slope, or that part which is 
 drained by the rivers tributary to the Atlantic Ocean; (2) the 
 
 Quesiions.—1W. What is said of the rivers of the old world ? Illustrate. 240. Magni- 
 tude of the American rivers? To what owing? 241. How may the continent of North 
 A merica be divided with reference to its drainage ? First division? Second? Third? 
 r^urth? . 
 
 • Rev. Thomas Milner, 
 
NOETH AMEKICAN RIVERS. 77 
 
 Valley of the Mississippi, lying between the Rocky and Alle- 
 ghany Mountains ; (3) the region to the west of the Rocky 
 Mountains, the streams of which are tributary to the Pacific 
 Ocean ; (4) the northern slope drained by streams tributary to 
 Hudson's Bay and the Arctic Ocean. 
 
 242. The Mississippi is the largest of the North American 
 rivers. It waters the southern half of the great plain, and brings 
 to the sea the drainage of upward of a million of square miles. 
 It rises in the small lake of Itasca, at an elevation of only 1,490 
 feet above the level of the sea, and flows in a southerly direction 
 to its termination in the Gulf of Mexico, after a course of 2,500 
 miles. The Mississippi is navigable for 2,200 miles to the Falls 
 of St. Anthony which occur at a distance of tibout 400 miles 
 below its source. 
 
 243. The Missouri has its origin in the Rocky Mountains, and 
 runs for 3,100 miles in a southeasterly direction before it joins 
 tlie Mississippi, making a total distance, from its source to its en- 
 trance into the Gulf of Mexico, of more than 4,450 miles. It is 
 navigable from the point where it vmites with the Mississippi up 
 to the base of the Rocky Mountains, where the Great Falls oc- 
 cur (in latitude 46^ 50'). 
 
 244. During the period of the annual floods, large tracts of the 
 adjoining country are overflowed, and immense damage done to 
 property. Artificial embankments, called levees, are constructed 
 along the lower course of the Mississippi to prevent inunda ion ; 
 but, in seasons of high floods, they are often broken through by 
 the force of the waters, forming what are known as crcvases. 
 About one fifth of the whole surface of the State of Louisiana 
 is periodically overflowed. 
 
 245. The Ohio is, next to the Missouri, the most important 
 of the tributaries of the Mississippi : it is formed by the junc- 
 tion of the Monongahela and the Alleghany rivers, which unite 
 their waters at Pittsburg, where the river becomes navigable. 
 The Ohio, about 950 miles in length, and from four hundred 
 yards to upward of three quarters of a mile in breadlh, flovv's 
 
 Questions. — 242. The Mississippi? Its source, direction, and terminaiion ? Uow fcr 
 navigable ? 243. The Missouri ? How far iwvigable ? 244. Floods ? Arliflcial embank- 
 ments ? 245. The Ohio V Its length, etc. ? Falls ? 
 
7b NOETH AMEEICAN KIVEKS. 
 
 througli one of the most fertile portions of the Mississippi Valley. 
 It has no fall, except a rocky rapid of 22^ feet descent at Louis- 
 ville, around which a canal has been constructed sufficiently ca- 
 pacious to admit steamboats, though not of the largest class. 
 
 246. Among the other principal streams in the Valley of the 
 Mississippi are the following : the St. Peters, Iowa, Des Moines, 
 St. Croix, Wisconsin, and Illinois rivers, tributaries to the Mis- 
 sissippi above, and the Ohio, Arkansas, and Red rivers below, the 
 junction of the Missouri; the Yellow-stone, Platte, Kansas, and 
 Osage rivers, tributaries to the Missouri ; and the Scioto, Miami, 
 Wabash, Kanawha, Licking, Kentucky, Green, Cumberland and 
 Tennessee rivers, tributaries to ti|ie Ohio. 
 
 247. The St. Lawrence is the second great river of the North 
 American continent, and by far the largest of the streams drain- 
 ing the Atlantic slope. Its channel from Lake Ontario to the 
 sea is about 700 miles long, but (including the great chain of 
 lakes from which it derives its waters) the whole length, from 
 the mouth of the St. Lawrence to the western extremity of Lake 
 Superior, is 2,050 miles. Above Montreal, rapids occur which 
 interrupt its navigation. During four months of the year the. 
 navigation is completely stopped by the ice. 
 
 248. Of the other streams draining the Atlantic slope, the 
 principal are the Connecticut (410 miles), the Hudson (310 
 miles), the Delaware (309 miles), the Susquehanna (450 miles), 
 the Potomac (380 miles), the James (375 miles), the Roanoke 
 (275 miles), the Pedee (375 miles), the Santee (360 miles), the 
 Savannah (330 miles), and the Altamaha (320 miles), — all of 
 which flow into the Atlantic Ocean. The Appalachicola (470 
 miles) and the Mobile, further to the westward, flow into the 
 Gulf of Mexico. Most of these rivers are navigable for a con- 
 siderable distance inland, and the Hudson (at the mouth of which 
 stands the city of New York) can be ascended by the largest 
 merchant ships 120 miles, and by steamers nearly 160 miles. 
 
 Qtieationi'. — 246. Tributaries to the Mississippi above the junction of the Missouri ? Be- 
 low ilie junction of the Missouri? Tributaries to the Missouri? To the Ohio? 247. The 
 St. Lawrence? Its lensfth from Lake Ontario? Its whole length inciudinpr the lakes? 
 Eapiils? Ice? 24S. Other streams draining the Atlantic slope? Theirnuvigability ? The 
 liudson, how far navigable for the largest ships ? For steamers ? 
 
NOETH AMEEICAN EIVEES. 79 
 
 249. The principal rivers draining the region to the west of the 
 Rocky Mountains — forming the third division — are the Fraser 
 (500 miles), Oregon, or Columbia( 1,300 miles), Sacramento (450 
 miles), and the Colorado (1,350 miles). Colmiibia, the most con- 
 siderable of these, receives several important tributaries, the 
 largest of which is the Lewis. The river Sacramento waters 
 the northern half of the valley lying between the Sierra Nevada 
 and the coast range of California, and forms at its mouth the 
 harbor of San Francisco : immediately above this outlet it is 
 joined by the San Joaquin, which drains the southern half of the 
 valley, and carries off the waters of Lake Tule. The streams 
 tributary to the Sacramento and San Joaquin, which flow from 
 the east, drain the gold regions of California. 
 
 250. Of the streams draining the northern slope of North 
 America two divisions may be made, — one embracing the Nelson, 
 Churchill, and other rivers flowing into Hudson Bay ; and the 
 other, the Mackenzie, Coppermine, and other streanxs flowing 
 into the Arctic Ocean. The most considerable of these streams 
 is the Mackenzie which issues from the western extremity of 
 the Great Slave Lake. During the summer, it pours a vast flood 
 of waters into the sea; but is obstructed by ice during nine months 
 of the year. 
 
 251. The Rio del Norte is a considerable stream of 2,000 
 miles in length, which rises in the southern part of the Rocky 
 Mountains and runs in a southeasterly direction into the Gulf of 
 Mexico, To the south of this stream are few rivers of any con- 
 siderable length. The San Juan, in Central America, possesses 
 considerable interest from its having hitherto afforded the most 
 ready means of communication between the opposite shores of 
 the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. It has its origin in the lake of 
 Nicaragua, on the southern portion of the plateau of Guatemala, 
 and,after a course of 120 miles, empties itself into the Caribbean 
 Sea. 
 
 Qztestions. — 249. The principal rivers draining the third division? The Columbia? 
 Sacramento? Ssin Joaquin ? Gold regions, how drained ? 250. What two divisions of 
 the streams draining the northern slope ? The Mackenzie ? 251. The Eio del Norte 1 
 Saa Juan ? 
 
80 SOUTH AMEEICAN RIVEES. 
 
 LESSON VII. 
 
 THE RIVER SYSTEMS OF THE WESTERN CONTINENT. 
 
 252. South American Rivers, — The three principal rivers 
 of South America are the Orinoco, the Amazon, and the La Plata, 
 which drain, respectively, the northern, middle, and southern por- 
 tions of the great plain. 
 
 253. The Orinoco, nearly 1,200 miles long, rises in the mount- 
 ains of Guiana. About 130 miles below its source, it sends off 
 to the southward, a branch called the Casiquiare (200 miles in 
 length), which joins the River Negro, a tributary of the Amazon, 
 and thus effects a natural communication, navigable for boats, 
 between the basins of these two great rivers. 
 
 254. The principal tributaries of the Orinoco, on its left bank, 
 are the Guaviare, Meta, and Apure, rising in the Andes; on the 
 right bank, the Ventuari, Caura, and Caroni, having their sources 
 in the PacaraimaJ Mountains. Below the village of Angostura, 
 280 miles from the mouth of the Orinoco, no impediments to its 
 navigation occur : above this, its course is occasionally interrupt- 
 ed by rapids ; but, in general, it presents a deep and navigable 
 channel nearly to its source. 
 
 255. The Amazon, called the Maranon in the upper portion 
 of its course, rises in the small lake of Chincacocha, upon the 
 table-land of Pasco, amid the highest parts of the Peruvian 
 Andes. Thence it flows in a northerly course until it leaves the 
 mountains, and afterward crosses the great plain in an easterly 
 direction to the Atlantic Ocean. The whole length of the Ama- 
 zon is little short of 3,900 miles. 
 
 256. The tributaries of the Amazon are numerous and on a 
 grand scale, some of them being equal to the largest streams of 
 the Old World. The principal are the Napo, Putumayo or lea, 
 Japura, and Negro, on the left bank : — the Huallaga, Ucayale, 
 Javary, Jutay, Jurua, Teffe, Purus, Madeira, Tapajos, Xingu, 
 
 Questions.— "iSi. The three principal rivers of South America? 253. The Orinoco? 
 Casiquiare ? 254. The principal tributaries of the Orinoco ? Its navigability ? 255. The 
 Amazon? Its course? Length? 256. What is said of the tributaries of the Amazon ? 
 The principal tributaries on the left bank ? Upon the right bank ? The Madeira f 
 
SOUTH AMEKICAN KIVEES. 81 
 
 and Tocantins, upon the right. TJie Madeira has a course of 
 more than 2,000 miles before it joins the Amazon. 
 
 257. At the distance of 700 miles below its source the Ama- 
 zon has a width of 800 yards, and during the last 450 miles of 
 its course, it is nowhere less than four miles in width, and at its 
 mouth the channel is fifty miles across. A recent exploration 
 of this river* has proved that it is navigable for vessels of the 
 largest class from its mouth to the very foot of the Andes, a dis- 
 tance of about 3,500 miles. So great is the amount of water 
 which it brings down that its freshness is perceptible at a dis- 
 tance of more than 500 miles from the coast. 
 
 258. • The Rio de la Plata is a broad fresh-water estuary 
 which receives the waters of the Parana and Uruguay. The 
 Parana has its" rise in the mountains of Brazil, and, reckoning 
 from its most distant source to the mouth of the Rio de la Plata, 
 is 2,350 miles in length. About 760 miles above the sea it re- 
 ceives the Paraguay, which has a course of about 1,500 miles. 
 The Uruguay (1,000 miles long) flows nearly parallel to the 
 lower course of the Parana. Both the Parana and Paraguay 
 are navigable for large vessels to a distance of nearly 1,000 miles. 
 
 259. Among the other principal rivers of South America are 
 the Magdalena (860 miles), which flows into the Caribbean Sea, 
 and the Atrato (300 miles), into the Gulf of Darien. The Es- 
 sequibo, Demerara, Berbice, Surinam, and Maroni, flow into the 
 Atlantic to the eastward of the mouth of the Orinoco. To the 
 east and south of the Amazon are the Maranhao, Paranahyba, St. 
 Francisco (1,500 miles), and many others belonging to the At- 
 lantic coast. The Colorado (600 miles) and the Negro (800 
 miles) flow into the Atlantic southwest of the Rio de la Plata. 
 
 260. The rivers on the western coast of South America are 
 very short : among the longest are the Biobio, in Chili, about 
 150 miles, and a few streams of nearly equal length to the north- 
 ward of the Gulf of Guayaquil. 
 
 Questions. — 25T. Width (if the Amazon ? How far navigable? Illustrate the great ex- 
 tent of w;iter it brings down. 253. The Eio de la Pliita? The Par.inn ? Paraguiiy? 
 Uruguay? How far are the Parana and Paraguay navigable? 259. Other principal rivers 
 of South Amerioa? Eivers flowing into the Atlantic to the east of the raoiilh of the Ori- 
 noco ? To the east and south of the Amazon ? To the south of the Eio de la Plata? 260. 
 The rivers of the western coast? Biobio ? 
 
 * By Lieut Herndon. 
 4* 
 
82 EUKOPEAN RIVEKS. 
 
 LESSON VIII. 
 
 RIVER SYSTEiMS OF THE EASTERN CONTINENT. 
 
 261. European Rivers. — Europe is divided into two prin- 
 cipal river systems, — one embracing those streams which have 
 a southerly direction, and flow into tlie Mediterranean, Caspian, 
 and Black seas ; the other comprising those which have a north- 
 erly course, and terminate in the North, Baltic, and White seas, 
 and the Arctic Ocean. 
 
 262. In the west, these two systems are, for the most part, 
 divided by the Alps and German mountains ; but, in the eastern 
 part of Europe, the division of waters is effected by a ridge of 
 the great plain slightly raised above the general level. This 
 watershed begins on the northern declivity of the Carpathian 
 Mountains, near the 23d meridian, in a low range of hills run- 
 ning between the sources of the Dnieper and the tributaries of 
 the Vistula, and thence proceeds in a tortuous course along the 
 plain to the Valdai table-land, which is its highest point, 1,200 
 feet above the sea. It then declines northward toward the Onega, 
 about the 60th parallel, and lastly turns in a very serpentine line 
 to the Ural Mountains, near the 62d degree of north latitude. 
 
 263. The Volga, which is the largest river of Europe, rises 
 in the plateau of Valdai, at the height of 1,100 feet above the 
 sea. Its entire course is 2,200 miles in length, and the area of 
 its basin about 520,000 square miles, or nearly 6ne seventh of 
 the whole surface of the continent. The Volga is navigable 
 through nearly its whole length, and has considerable depth. 
 During the greater part of winter, it is frozen over;but,at other 
 times, is the highway of a most extensive traffic. 
 
 264. The Danube, 1,630 miles, is the second of the rivers oi 
 Europe, both in length of course and in the area of its basin 
 which is 310,000 square miles in extent. It rises in the Black 
 Forest, to the north of Switzerland, at a height of 2,200 feet 
 
 Quentions. — 261. Into what two river systems is Europe divided? 262. Division of the 
 two svsteiiis in the western part? In the enstern part? Describe the course of the water- 
 shed throus:h eastern Europe. 263. Give particulars of the Volga. How far navigable ? 
 2G4. Give particulars of the Danube. Its source, direction, and termination ? 
 
EITBOPEAN RIVEKS. 83 
 
 above the level of the sea, and flows in an easterly direction 
 across the plateau of Bavaria, through Austria, the plain of Hun- 
 gary, and between Bulgaria and Wallachi?., to its entrance into 
 the Black Sea. 
 
 265. The Danube is navigable from its mouth up to Ulm (10° 
 east longitude), or throughout nearly its entire course ; the only 
 interruption being between the towns of Moldova and Gladova, 
 where it passes, for a space of 60 miles, through a succession 
 of rapids and shallows. The principal tributaries are the Inn, 
 the Drave, the Save, and the Morava, on the south ; and the 
 March, the Theiss, the Aluta, and the Pruth, on the north. All 
 of these are rivers of considerable magnitude. 
 
 266. The more important of the other streams which flow into 
 the Black Sea, are the Dniester which is 500 miles long ; the 
 Dnieper which is 1,200 miles in length; and the Don, 1,000 
 miles. The Dnieper is navigable from Smolensk to the sea, 
 except for a distance of about 150 miles below Kiev, within 
 which distance its navigation is considerably impeded by rocks 
 and cataracts. 
 
 267. The Rhine rises in the Alps, at an elevation of 6,580 feet, 
 and flows in the upper portion of its course through Lake Con- 
 stance. It has a length of 760 miles, and its basin is 70,000 
 square miles in area : at Basle, where it is 765 feet above the 
 level of the sea, its breadth is 800 feet, at Mentz about 1,700, 
 and at Cologne 1,400. It is navigable for boats as high up as 
 the Falls of SchafFhausen, a short distance below Lake Con- 
 stance; andjfor vessels of some magnitude, as high as Strasburg. 
 The current is generally rapid, flowing at the rate of four or five 
 miles an hour. Its principal affluents are the Neckar and Main 
 on the right bank, and the Aar and Moselle on the left. 
 
 268. Of the other considerable rivers flowing into the Atlantic 
 Oc6an are — the Elbe (690 miles) and the Weser (380 miles) to 
 the north, and the Meuse (550 miles), Seine (430 miles), Loire 
 (570 miles), and Garonne (350 miles), to the south. Spain is 
 
 Qitestions.--7,Qo. Navigation of the Danube ? Tributaries ? 266. Other streams which 
 flow into the Black Sea ? The Dnieper ? 267. The Ehine ? Its length, extent of its basin, 
 etc.? Its principal aiBuents? 268. Other considerable rivers flowing into the Atlantic 
 Ocean ? Elvers of Spain ? 
 
84 ASIATIC KIVEKS. 
 
 watered by numerous rivers, as the Minho (200 miles), the 
 Douro (460 miles), the Tagus (510 miles), and the Guadiana 
 (450 miles) ; they are all navigable in the lower parts of their 
 courses. The Guadalquiver (290 miles) is navigable for large 
 vessels up to Seville. 
 
 269. The rivers which flow into the Mediterranean have gen- 
 erally short courses, owing to the nearness of the mountains on 
 the north. The Ebro (420 miles) flows from the eastern side 
 of the Spanish table-land. The Rhone (490 miles)' rises in the 
 highest region of the Alps, and pissing in its course through 
 Lake Geneva, below which it is navigable, falls into the Gulf of 
 Lyons. The Arno (150 miles) and the Tiber (210 miles), both 
 water the western side of the Italian peninsula ; the Po (450 
 miles) and the Adige (250 miles) flow through the plain of 
 Lombardy, and enter the Adriatic Sea near its northern ex- 
 tremity, 
 
 270. The principal rivers flowing into the Baltic Sea are the 
 Dilna (550 miles), the Niemen (400 miles), the Vistula (628 miles), 
 and the Oder (550 miles). The Diina, the Vistula, and the Oder 
 are navigable for the greater part of their courses. The Neva, 
 which flows into the head of the Gulf of Finland, though ordy 
 46 miles in length, is of considerable importance. It has a vast 
 volume of water, being the outlet of the great lakes of Ladoga 
 and Onega. Its mean breadth is 1,500 feet, and its depth 50 
 feet. It IS frozen over for five months of the year. 
 
 271. The White Sea and Arctic Ocean receive several im» 
 portant streams, among which are the Dwina (7(50 miloc), the 
 Mezen (480 miles), and the Petchora (900 miles). 
 
 LESSON IX. 
 
 RIVER SYSTEMS OF THE EASTERN CONTINENT (continued). 
 
 272. Asiatic Rivers. — The rivers of Asia may, like those 
 of Europe, be divided into two principal classes, separated by 
 
 Question.i.—2&0. What is said of the rivers flowing into tlie Mediterranean? The Ehrn? 
 Ehime? Other streams ? 270. The principal rivers flowing into the Baltic Sea? Which 
 are navigable ? The Neva? 271. Streams flowing into the White Sea and Arctic Ocean? 
 272. How may the rivers of Asia be divided 1 The northern division ? The other class ? 
 
ASIATIC EIVEKS. 85 
 
 the mountains and table-lands which extend east and west through 
 the interior. The northern division embraces the rivers which 
 flow into the Arctic Ocean, and those, in the W3st, which termi- 
 nate in inland seas or lakes unconnected with the ocean. The 
 other and more numerous class includes the streams which have 
 their origin in the mountains of the interior, and flow either 
 southerly into the Indian Ocean, or eastwardly into the Pacific. ; 
 
 273. The Obi, which flows into the Arctic Ocean, is 2,530 
 miles in length; its river-basin is 1,250,000 square miles in ex- 
 tent, being probably the largest basin of any river in the East- 
 ern hemisphere. The other principal rivers in the north of 
 Asia are the Yenesei (2,900 miles) and the Lena (2,400 miles). 
 The Obi, Yenesei, and Lena all rise in the mountains of the 
 Altai system, and flow through the Siberian plain. Owing to 
 the severity of the climate their waters are frozen during a great 
 part of the year, and they are hence of little use for the purposes 
 of navigation. 
 
 274. The Ganges (1,460 miles) and the Indus (1,700 miles), 
 two of the most important rivers of Asia, both Avater the north- 
 ern portion of Hindoostan. The Ganges, whose basin extends 
 from east to west to the south of the Himalaya Mountains, flows 
 in an easterly direction into the head of the Bay of Bengal. At 
 its mouth it divides into numerous arms, which inclose a delta 
 of immense extent (page 72) : its most western arm, called the 
 Hoogly, upon which Calcutta is built, is the only one that is 
 usually navigated. The Ganges is remarkable for the great ex- 
 tent of its fall : it is ascended by steamers as high as Allahabad, 
 more than 800 miles from its mouth. 
 
 275. The Indus rises on the plateau of Tibet, to the northward 
 of the Himalaya Mountains, at an elevation of more than 15,000 
 feet, and flows into the Arabian Sea. About 470 miles above its 
 mouth, the Indus receives, on its left bank, the river Chenaub 
 which collects the waters of the five streams of the Jeloam, the 
 Chenaub, the Ravee, the Bayas, and the Sutlej. The district 
 watered by these five rivers is called the Punjaub* All the 
 
 Questions. — 273. TlieObi? Other considerable rivers of northern Asia ? What lurlher 
 Is said of the Obi, Yenesei, and Lena? 274. The Ganges and Indus? Give particulara 
 of the Ganges. 275. The Indus. Its tributaries. How far navigable ? 
 
 ♦ Properly, Penj-db, or five rivers. 
 
86 AFKIC^«JK1VEE8. 
 
 chief tributaries of the rivers, as well as the main stream, are 
 navigable through nearly their entire length. Steamboats of con- 
 siderable size can ascend to a distance of more than 500 miles, 
 and smaller vessels, 1,000 miles. 
 
 276. The other principal rivers belongmg to the basin of the 
 Indian Ocean are the Saleun and the Irawady, each 1,200 miles 
 long, and both flowing into the Gulf of Martaban ; the Brahma- 
 pootra^ the Godavery, the Krishna, and the Cauvery, into the Bay 
 of Bengal ; the Nerbudda, into the Gulf of Cambay ; and the 
 united Euphrates (1,700 miles) and Tigris (1,150 miles) into the 
 Persian Gulf. 
 
 277. The seas to the east of Asia receive several large rivers, 
 among which are the Amour (2,300 miles), which Hows mto the 
 Gulf of Tartary ; the Hoang-Ho (2,600 miles), and the Yang-tse 
 Kiang (3,200 miles), both flowing into the Yellow Sea ; and the 
 Cambodia (or May Kiang) (1,300 miles) into the Gulf of Siam. 
 
 278. The drainage of a large part of the Asiatic continent — 
 probably not less than four and a half millions of square miles — 
 is unconnected with any of the surrounding oceans, but is re- 
 ceived into inland seas or lakes, of which the Caspian and Aral 
 possess the most extensive basins. The principal continental 
 rivers of Asia are the Kour (520 miles), the Amoo, or Jihon 
 (1,300 miles), and the Sihoon (1,150 miles), flowing into the 
 Sea of Aral. The Tarim, or Erghue (900 miles), flows into the 
 Lake of Lop, in the center of the cuntincn^. The Helmund 
 (600 miles), which rises in the plateau of Afghanistan, falls into 
 Lake Zurrah ; the Jordan, in Palestine, into the Dead Sea. 
 
 279. African Rivers. — The Nile is the most considerable 
 river of Africa : it carries oft' the waters from the northern and 
 western sides of the plateau and mountains of Abyssinia, and 
 discharges itself into the Mediterranean. The Nile is formed 
 by the junction (in latitude 15° 40' north) of two streams, — the 
 Bahr-el-Azrek (Blue River), and the Bahr-el-Abiad (or White 
 River) : the latter is generally admitted to constitute the main 
 
 Questions. — 276. Name the principal rivers belonging to the basin of the Indian Ocean. 
 277. Those flowing into the eastern seas. 278. Extent of the surface drained into the in- 
 land seas? Principal continental rivers of Asia? Into what seas or lakes do they re- 
 spectively flow? 279. What is said of the Nile? How formed? Source of the Nilp? 
 II ow far has its course been traced ? 
 
AFRICAN KIVEKS. 87 
 
 channel of the river. The source of the Nile — calling the head 
 waters of the Bahr-el-Abiad its real source — ^has not yet been 
 visited by Europeans, but its course has been traced upvi^ard to 
 within four degrees of north latitude, and there is reason to be- 
 lieve that it rises south of the equator 
 
 280. Though the Nile has so great a length of course — ^prob- 
 ably not much short of 3,500 miles — its basin is of very limited 
 extent. For a distance of 1,400 miles above its mouth it re- 
 ceives no tributary. Through the middle and lower portion of 
 its course, the Nile flows in a narrow valley inclosed on each 
 side by steep rocks : the width of this valley varies from one to 
 two miles, in Nubia and Upper Egypt, to as many as ten or twelve 
 miles lower down the stream. 
 
 281. The Niger or Quorra is the largest of the African riv- 
 ers which flow into the Atlantic Ocean. It rises in the mount- 
 ains of Soudan, where the main tributary is known as the Joliba; 
 pursues a northeasterly course to the neighborhood of Timbuctoo; 
 thence a southeasterly course, passing through a wide opening of 
 the Kong Mountams, and enters the eastern extremity of the 
 Gulf of Guinea by several mouths. The length of the Niger is 
 perhaps about 2,500 miles. Above the place of its passage through 
 the Kong Mountains, it receives the waters of the Chadda, a 
 broad and deep tributary. The Niger has been ascended by a 
 steamboat to more than two hundred miles above the junction of 
 the Chadda, but the extreme unhealthiness of the climate in the 
 district through wliich its lower course lies, has contributed to 
 the failure of many attempts made to explore this part of Africa, 
 and to establish commercial relations with the inhabitants. 
 
 282. Besides the Niger, the principal rivers upon the west 
 coasts of Africa are the Senegal, the Gambia, the Rio Grande, 
 the Rokelle, the Volta, the Zaire or Congo, the Coanza, and the 
 Gariep or Orange. Both the Senegal (900 miles) and the Gam- 
 bia (650 miles) are navigable rivers : they flow in a westerly di- 
 rection, and draw their waters from the same mountain ranges in 
 
 $«««<(■(«!.?.— 280. Lenglh ? Basin? Width of the valley in different parts? 2S1. The 
 Niger? Its source, direction, and termination? Length? How fur ascended by a steam- 
 boat? The climate of the district in which its lower course lies? 282. Other principal 
 rivers upon the west coasts of Africa ? The Senegal and the Gambia ? The Gariep ? Tho 
 principal river upon the eastern side ? Other rivers ? 
 
88 LAKES. 
 
 which are the sources of the Niger. The Gariep, or Orange 
 River, in the southern part of Africa, has a length of upward of 
 1,000 miles. The principal river upon the eastern side of Africa 
 is the Zambesi, which brings down a great volume of water, and 
 is said to be navigable for boats through a distance of more than 
 900 miles. The Lufiji, Juba, and many other rivers of the east- 
 ern coast, have not been explored, and are but little known. 
 
 LESSON X. 
 
 283. Fresh-water lakes occur in the greatest numbers, and 
 upon the largest scale, in the northern regions of the globe. 
 Nearly all the lakes of any considerable extent in North America 
 are situated north of the 40th parallel, while in Europe and Asia, 
 the regions peculiarly characterized by fresh-water collections 
 are, for the most part, north of the 50th parallel. Salt-water 
 lakes have a more southerly distribution, and are very abundant 
 in eastern Europe, and central and southern Asia. 
 
 284. Lakes may be divided into four classes, according to cer- 
 tain physical peculiarities. The Ji?-st class includes those which 
 have no outlet, and do not receive any running water. Lake 
 Albano, near Rome, is an example. Many of these lakes are 
 situated in elevated districts, and are generally small : it has 
 been supposed that they are the craters of extinct volcanoes, and 
 are supplied by springs. 
 
 285. The second class comprises those which receive water, 
 but have no apparent outlets. The Caspian Sea and Lake Aral 
 belong to this division. The Caspian is about 600 miles long; 
 its extreme breadth is 300 miles, though its average breadth is not 
 more than 100 miles. This most remarkable lake receives the 
 waters of the Volga, a river which has a course of 2,200 miles. 
 
 Questions. — 2S3. Where nre frcsh-'water lakes most abundant ? In North America ? In 
 Europe and Asia ? Salt-water lakes V 284. Into how many classes may lakes be divided ? 
 First class ? Example. Situation of these lakes, etc. ? 285. Second class ? Examples. 
 The Caspian ? What waters are tributary to it? 
 
LAKES. 89 
 
 and brings down more than 518,000,000 cubic feet of water 
 every hour. The Ural, and many other streams of consider- 
 able magnitude, are also received by the Caspian ; but its level 
 is not changed, though it has no perceptible outlet by which to 
 discharge the water it receives. 
 
 286. Lake Aral presents the same phenomena, and, though 
 not to be compared in extent to the Caspian, receives two large 
 rivers, the Sihoon and Amoo, or Jihon. The difficulty in explain- 
 ing the nature of these lakes is to account for the constancy of 
 their level, which might be expected to rise considerably, as they 
 are daily receiving so large a body of water. The opinion was 
 once entertained that they are connected by some internal chan- 
 nel with the sea, and it was supported by the fact that the water 
 both of the Caspian and Lake Aral is salt, and contains marine 
 productions ; but it has been ascertained that the Caspian is not 
 less than 84 feet below the level of the Black Sea, thus com- 
 pletely disproving the hypothesis that they have a connection. 
 It is thought that the phenomena referred to may be accounted 
 for by evaporation and filtration. Besides the Caspian Sea and 
 Lake Aral, there are numerous other bodies of water of this 
 class, the receptacles of the continental rivers. (See table of 
 Continental Rivers page 74.) 
 
 287. A third class comprehends all those lakes which receive 
 no streams, but give birth to some. Many of these lakes occupy 
 very elevated situations, and are the sources of some of the 
 largest rivers. They are no doubt supplied by springs, the waters 
 of which rise in their reservoirs until its level is sufficiently 
 high to admit a discharge. The lake in Monte Rotondo, in Cor- 
 sica, is one of this class, and is situated 9,000 feet above the 
 level of the sea. 
 
 288. The fourth class includes all those lakes which both 
 receive and discharge water, being by far the most numerous 
 division. They commonly receive the waters of many rivers, 
 and have but one outlet. The origin of such lakes is easily 
 
 Que.ition,i, — 286. Lake Aral? Opinion formerly entertained? How supported ? How- 
 is tills liyjiotliesis disproved ? "How may the constant level be accounted for? What other 
 lakes belong to this class? 287. Third class? What is said of many of the lakes of this 
 class? How supplied? Monte Botondo ? 288. Fourth class? How is the origin of such 
 lakes explained ? 
 
90 NOKTH AMEKICAN" LAKES. 
 
 explained. Should a hollow present itself in the course of a 
 river, it is evident that it must be filled to the level of some part 
 of its banks before the river can proceed, and this would produce 
 a lake. But it may happen that there is a general declivity from 
 various parts of a district toward some central valley, and then 
 the waters of a number of rivers may be brought into it, while 
 at the same time the continuation gives but one course by which 
 the waters can be discharged. A description of some of the 
 largest lakes of this class will be given in the next lesson. 
 
 289. Most lakes occur at varying elevations above the level of 
 the sea, while some are much below it. The highest known lake 
 in the world is Sir-i-kol, in Asia. It is the source of the Amoo 
 River, and is 15,600 feet above the level of the ocean. Lake 
 Titicaca, in Bolivia, has an elevation of 12,785 feet; Tzana, or 
 Dembea, in Abyssinia, 6,076 feet; Lake Baikal, in Asia, 1,793 
 feet; Constance, 1,299 feet; Geneva, 1,229 feet; Great Salt 
 Lake, in Utah Territory, 4,200 feet ; Superior, 623 feet ; Huron 
 and Michigan, 591 feet; Erie, 565 feet; Ontario, 234 feet. The 
 Caspian Sea, Lake of Tiberias, and the Dead Sea, are each be- 
 low the sea-level, — the first 84 feet, the second 600 feet, and 
 the third 1,316 feet.* 
 
 LESSON XL 
 
 LAKES — (^continued) . 
 
 290. North American Lakes. — The largest lakes in North 
 America are Superior, LIuron, Michigan, Erie, and Ontario, 
 which are connected with the sea by the channel of the river 
 St. Lawrence ; Winnipeg, which is drained by the river Nelson 
 into the Hudson Bay ; and the Athabasca, Great Slave, and 
 Great Bear, which empty their waters into streams tributary to 
 the Arctic Ocean. 
 
 Questions.— 2S9. Viiryina; eleviitions and depressions of lakes? Highest known lake, 
 its elevalion, etc. ? Give tlie elevations of Ilie other lakes mentioned. State the depres- 
 sions of tlie Ciisiiian, Lake of Tiberias, and the Dead Sea. 290. Which are the largest 
 lakes in North America, and hovr drained ? 
 
 * According to the measurement made by Lieutenant Lynch, in 184S, the exact depres- 
 Bion of the Dead Sea below the Mediterranean was found to be 1,816'7 feet. 
 
NOKTH AMEKICAN LAKES. 91 
 
 291. Lake Superior is the largest fresh- water formation on 
 the globe, computed to have an area of 40,000 square miles ; 
 length 420 miles ; extreme breadth, 165 ; height above the level 
 of the Atlantic, 623 feet; greatest depth 1,200 feet. There is 
 reason to believe, from the appearance of t^ie shores, that the 
 waters of this, as well as the other Canadian lakes, formerly oc- 
 cupied a much higher level than they reach at present. The 
 amount of water carried off by its outlet, the river of St. Mary, 
 is much less than that received by its tributaries, from which 
 circumstance it is inferred that the evaporation from its surface 
 must be very great. 
 
 292. Lake Huron, remarkable for its brilliant transparency, 
 has an area of 25,000 square miles. It is about 240 miles in 
 length, from 180 to 220 in breadth, and is 591 feet above the 
 level of the sea. The outline of this lake is very irregular, and 
 its shores are described as consisting of clay cliffs, rolled stones, 
 abrupt rocks, and wooded steeps. The greatest depth of Lake 
 Huron is found to be nowhere more than 450 feet. Lake Mich- 
 igan, which lies wholly within the United States, is connected 
 with Lake Huron by means of the navigable channel Mackinaw. 
 It is about 300 miles long, and has an area of about 25,000 
 square miles. 
 
 293. Lake Erie has an area of about 11,000 square miles : its 
 surface is 565 feet above the sea. This lake is said to be the 
 only one in the whole Canadian chain in which there is any per- 
 ceptible current, a circumstance which is supposed to be attrib- 
 utable to its comparative shallowness, its average depth being 
 not more than 60 or 80 feet. The current of Lake Erie,' which 
 runs always in one direction, combined with the great prevalence 
 of westerly winds, and the occurrence of sunken reefs and 
 rocky banks, form serious obstacles to the safe and easy naviga- 
 tion of this lake. The shallowness of the water of Lake Erie 
 likewise causes it to be more readily and more permanently af- 
 fected by frost, so that its navigation is usually obstructed by 
 ice for some weeks every winter, while that of the other lakes 
 continues open and unimpeded. 
 
 Questions. — 291. Give particulars of Lake Superior. Change of level ? 292. Give par- 
 ticulars of Lake Huron. Lake Michigan. 293. Lake Erie. What is said of iUi current ? 
 Its navigability ? 
 
92 
 
 NORTH AMEKIOAN LAKES. 
 
 294. Lake Ontario has a computed area of 10,000 square 
 miles, 234 feet above the sea-level, and 331 feet below the level 
 of Lake Erie. Its depth is said to be very great, and it is nav- 
 igable throughout its whole extent for the largest ships. Its out- 
 let is a spacious channel studded with islands, collectively de- 
 nominated the Thousand Isles, but no less than 1,692 have been 
 actually counted. 
 
 295. Lake CJiamplain (about 500 square miles) belongs to the 
 same basin as the great lakes above described, and is connected 
 with the St. Lawrence by the river Richelieu. Lake George, 
 
 Lake George. 
 
 noted for its picturesque scenery, and for the transparency of its 
 waters, is situated west of the southern extremity of Lake Cham- 
 plain, with which it is connected by a short stream. It is about 
 30 miles long, and from 1 to 2 miles broad. 
 
 296. The Great Salt Lake (about 2,600 square rniles), situ- 
 ated in the great basin between the Rocky Mountains and the 
 
 Questions. — 294. Give particulars of Lake Ontario. The Thousand Isles. 295. Lake 
 Champlain. Lake George. 296. Great Salt Lake. What are its waters ? 
 
EUKOPEAN LAKES. 93 
 
 t-JciTra Xevada (HI), is about 70 miles in length, from 30 to 35 
 mxJe? in breadth, and is nearly 4,200 feet above the level of the 
 sea. Its w^aters are saturated with common salt ; and during 
 periods of drought, considerable quantities of this substance are 
 precipitated to the bottom, and there crystalized. No living crea- 
 ture is found to exist in this lake. It receives the waters of the 
 Bear, Weber, and other rivers ; but, as is common with the lakes 
 in this region, it has no connection with the ocean. 
 
 297. Upon the Mexican plateau is the large lake of Chapala 
 (about 650 square miles), which is discharged into the Pacific 
 by the river Santiago. Lake Nicaragua (about 3,500 square 
 miles), in Central America, lies at an elevation of about 128 feet 
 above the sea. The distance between its western shore and 
 the coast of the Pacific is only eleven miles ; it is drained by 
 the San Juan, which flows into the Caribbean Sea. 
 
 298. South Aimerican Lakes. — South America has few 
 lakes of any great extent. The largest is Lake Titicaca (about 
 3,800 square miles), situated on a plateau of that name, at an 
 elevation of 12,785 feet, and surrounded by some of the highest 
 summits of the Andes. The water of Lake Titicaca is fresh ; a 
 river called the Desaguadero, which leaves its southern extremity, 
 flows into the smdller lake (or marsh) of AuUagas, or Uros, which 
 lies at 490 feet lower level, and the water of which is salt. 
 
 299. Lake Maracayho (5,000 square miles), near the coast of 
 the Caribbean Sea, is connected by a narrow strait with the 
 Gulf of Maracaybo, and has brackish water. The Lake dos Patos 
 and Lake Mirim are on the southeast coast of Brazil. 
 
 LESSON xn. 
 
 LAKES — [continued). 
 
 300. European Lakes. — There are two principal lake-re- 
 gions in Europe, one lying around the Baltic, and situated within 
 
 Questions. — 297. Give particulars of Lake Chapala. Lake Nicaragua. 29S. "What is 
 Baid of South America ? Lalce Titicaca? 299. Lake Maracaybo ? Other lakes? 300. How 
 many lake-regions are there in Kurope, and where are they respectively situated ? How 
 arc the lakes of each division characterized 1 
 
94: 
 
 EUROPEAN LAKES, 
 
 its basin ; and the other embracing the Alpine system of mount- 
 ains. The lakes situated in the former of these regions possess, 
 in general, greater magnitude, while the latter are distinguished 
 by their great elevation above the sea, and by the grandeur of 
 the scenery among which they lie. 
 
 301 . The following Tables give the dimensions of the principal 
 European lakes, together with their elevation and greatest depth, 
 where these particulars have been ascertained. 
 
 Lakes situated about the Baltic. 
 
 Area in 
 
 Sq. Miles. 
 
 Height. 
 
 Depth. 
 
 In Russia — Ladoga 
 
 Onega 
 
 Ilmen 
 
 Peipous, or Tchoudskoe 
 
 Pskov 
 
 Bieloe 
 
 Saima 
 
 Enara* 
 
 In Sweden — Wener 
 
 Wetter 
 
 Maelar 
 
 6,380 
 
 3.280 
 
 890 
 
 1,250 
 
 280 
 
 420 
 
 2,000 
 
 1,200 
 
 2,186 
 
 840 
 
 760 
 
 144 
 
 288 
 
 
 288 
 432 
 
 Lakes belonging to the Alpine System. 
 
 
 Area in 
 
 >q. Miles. 
 
 Height. 
 
 Depth. 
 
 In Switzerland— Geneva 
 
 240 
 
 115 
 
 99 
 
 76 
 
 228 
 
 150 
 
 250 
 
 152 
 
 66 
 
 183 
 
 1,230 
 
 1,437 
 
 1,430 
 
 1,832 
 
 1,299 
 
 350 
 
 918 
 
 678 
 
 684 
 
 320 
 
 1,012 
 
 426 
 
 600 
 
 600 
 
 964 
 
 13 
 
 86 
 
 2,622 
 
 600 
 
 
 Zurich 
 
 Constance, or Boden See 
 In Hungary — Neusiedler See 
 
 Balaton, or Platten See. 
 In Italy— Lago Maggiore 
 
 Garda 
 
 
 302. Lakes are very numerous in Scotland, especially in the 
 middle and northern parts. They are mostly long and narrow 
 
 Quefft ion s.—SOl. What is tlie area of Lake Ladoga? Of Onega? Of other lakes in 
 Eussia? Give piirlicuhirs of Lake Wener. Of other lakes in Sweden. Of Geneva. Of 
 other lalces in Switzerland. Of Lago Maggiore. Of other lakes in Italy. 802. What is 
 Baid of the lakes in Scotland 1 Loch Lomond ? 
 
 * The -waters of Lake Enara, however, communicate with the Arctic Ocean, not with 
 the Baltic. 
 
ASIATIC AND AFRICAN LAKES. 05 
 
 bodies of water, occupying the deep hollows within the elevated 
 mountain-valleys. The largest lake in Scotland, and also in 
 Great Britain, is Loch Lomond. Its area is 40 square miles ; 
 its extreme length, 24 miles ; and its greatest width, 7 miles. 
 
 303. Of the lakes in Ireland, the largest is Lough Neagh. It 
 is situated in the northern part of the island, and has an area of 
 150 square miles. The three Lakes of Killarney, in the south, 
 are noted for their beautiful scenery. 
 
 304. Asiatic Lakes. — The largest fresh-water lake in Asia 
 is Lake Baikal, situated among the northern offsets of the Altai 
 mountain-system. It has an area of about 15,000 square miles, 
 and lies at an elevation of 1,793 feet above the level of the sea^ 
 Its water is fresh, and abounds in fish. It is annually frozen over 
 for a period of five or six months, and may be traversed on 
 sledges. 
 
 305. Among the smaller lakes of Asia are Balkashi, Oubsa, 
 Zaisang, Issyk, Bosteng, Lop, Koko-nor, Bouka-nor, and Tengri- 
 nor — all on or adjacent to the high plateaus in the interior of 
 the continent ; — Tong-ting and Poyang, in China ; — Zurrah and 
 Bakhtegan (both salt), on the plateaus of Afghanistan • and Per- 
 sia ; — Urumiyah, Van, and Goukcha (the two former of which 
 are salt), on the Armenian table-land ; — the salt lake of Koch- 
 hissar, in Asia Minor ; — with Lake Tiberias and the Dead Sea 
 in Palestine. 
 
 306. African Lakes. — The largest body of inland water 
 known in Africa is Lake Tsad, which lies in the central part of 
 the continent and is several thousand square miles in area. Its 
 waters are very shallow, though fresh and clear. It is not 
 known, to have an outlet, but it probably has a channel of dis- 
 charge like all fresh- water lakes. 
 
 307. Of the other African lakes are Lake Dibhie, through 
 which the Quorra passes, and Lake Tzana, or Dembea, in Abys- 
 sinia. A large lake, called Ngami (or " the Great Water"), has 
 recently been discovered in the southern part of Africa, near the 
 20th parallel, lying at an elevation 2,800 feet above the sea. 
 
 §t«««<ions.— 303. Lakes in Ireland ? 804. Give particulars of Lake Baikal. 805. What 
 ether Asiaticlakes are mentioned ? 306. Give particulars of Lake Tsad. SOT. Of olbei 
 African lakes. 
 
96 
 
 THE OCEAN. 
 
 LESSON XIII. 
 
 THE OCEAN. 
 
 308. The vast body of water which surrounds the land and 
 penetrates its coast, is comprehended under the general name of 
 the ocean. For convenience it is divided into five portions, 
 named, respectively, the Arctic, Atlantic, Indian, Pacific, and 
 Antarctic oceans. These, with their branches, are as follows : 
 
 Atlantic Ocean 
 
 Pacific Ocean. 
 
 Arctic Ocean 
 
 Indian Ocean 
 
 Antarctic Ocean. 
 
 Extends from the northern 
 shores of America, Europe, 
 Asia, and the arctic circle 
 around the north pole 
 
 n. 
 
 Bounded on the west by Amer- 
 ica ; east by Europe and Afri- 
 ca; north by the arctic, and 
 south by the antarctic circle 
 — divided by the equator into 
 the North and South Atlantic 
 
 ni. 
 
 Inclosed between America on - 
 the east; Asia, the Sunda 
 Isles, and Australia on the 
 west ; and the arctic circle on 
 the north ; the antarctic on 
 the south — divided by the 
 equator into the North and 
 South Pacific 
 
 IV. 
 Bounded by Africa on the 
 west ; the Sunda Isles and 
 Australia on the east; south- 
 ern Asia on the north ; and 
 the antarctic circle on the 
 south 
 
 V. 
 
 Extends from the antarctic 
 circle around the south pole . 
 
 Branches. 
 
 Baffin's Bay. 
 White Sea. 
 Gulf of Kara. 
 Gulf of Obi. 
 
 Baltic with its gulfs. 
 North Sea. 
 Mediterranean. 
 Black Sea. 
 Hudson's Bay. 
 Gulf of Mexico. 
 Caribbean Sea. 
 
 Sea of China. 
 Yellow Sea. 
 Sea of Japan. 
 Sea of Okhotsk. 
 Sea of Kamtchatka. 
 Behrings Strait. 
 Gulf of California. 
 Bay of Panama. 
 
 Red Sea. 
 Arabian Sea. 
 Persian Gulf. 
 Bengal Sea. 
 
 Questions.— S08. Under what general name is the vast body of water which Burrounda 
 the land comprehended? How is it divided? Describe the situation, and memion the 
 principal branches of the Arctic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, Antarctic 
 
THE ARCTIC OCEAN. 97 
 
 309. The Arctic Ocean has been but partially explored. Va- 
 rious efforts have been made to reach its higher latitudes; but, up 
 to this time, they have proved unsuccessful, in consequence of 
 the impenetrable fields of ice w^hich are met with, and the impos- 
 sibility of remaining in those regions, with safety, for a great 
 length of time. During the winter months the waters of the 
 Arctic Ocean are covered with ice, which in summer is broken 
 up, and drifted into lower latitudes where it is dissolved. 
 
 IS 
 
 
 ■^ "■*ts^ 
 
 Scene in. the Arctic Ocean. 
 
 310. The floating masses of ice in the Arctic waters are of 
 two kmds; sheet-ice and icebergs, which have quite an inde- 
 pendent origin. Sheet-ice is that which is formed by the freez- 
 ing of the ocean's surface, and is generally level like that of 
 lakes ; it rises from 2 to 8 feet out of the water. Vast fields, 
 20 or 30 miles in diameter, have been found in the Arctic Ocean. 
 Sometimes they extend 100 miles, so closely packed together 
 that no opening is left between them. Smaller sheets are called 
 floes. Fields and floes, when much broken up, and the frag- 
 ments crowded together, form what is called pack-ice which, when 
 much elongated, is called a stream. When the parts of a pack 
 are loose and open, so that a vessel may sail between them, it is 
 culled drift-ice. 
 
 Questions. — 809. What Is said of the Arctic Ocean ? Why have the efforts made to reach 
 its higher latitudes been nnsuccessful ? 810. Of what two kinds are the floating masses n' 
 Ice? Describe the sheet-ice. Its extent. Floes. Pack-ice. Streams. Drift-ioe, 
 
 5 
 
9S 
 
 THE AKCTIC OCEAN." 
 
 311. In 1850, Lieut. De Haven, commanding the Grinnell Expedition in 
 Bcarch of Sir John Franklin, proceeded into the Arctic Ocean a considerable 
 distance north of Wellington Channel. Here, in the early part of October, 
 ■while drifting about among large masses of floating ice, his vessels (two in 
 number) lYere frozen in so firmly that it was impossible, with all the means 
 at command, to disengage them from the ice. In this state they were drift- 
 ed back through Wellington Cliannel and Lancaster Sonnd into Baffin's Bay, 
 thence southeasterly through this bay to about latitude 66° north, where 
 after having been confined in the ice nearly eight months, and having drift- 
 ed not less probably than 1,500 miles, they were liberated from their icy 
 fetters. 
 
 Icebergs. 
 
 312. Icebergs are fresli-water formations; and, towering like 
 cliffs to a considerable height, they present a very different as- 
 pect from ice-fields. They are produced on the shores of arctic 
 lands by the freezing of melted snow, like the glaciers of Switz- 
 erland. The frozen masses projecting into the sea, yield to its 
 undermining and wrenching power, by which immense blocks 
 are broken off, constituting icebergs. These huge masses are 
 drifted southward 2,000 miles from the places of their origin to 
 
 Q'ueHtiona.—ZW. What part of the Arctic Ocean was reached by Lieut. De Haven? 
 What subsequently happened to his vessels? ITow long were they confined and how far 
 did ihey drift ? S12. What are icebergs? Ilow produced ? How far south do they some- 
 times drift ? 
 
THE OCEAN. 99 
 
 melt in the Atlantic, where they cool the water and air to a great 
 distance around. Icebergs vary from a few yards to miles in 
 circumference, and are often 1,000 feet high. 
 
 313. It is supposed that the point of the greatest cold is in 
 the vicmity of Melville Island, and that to the north and west of 
 it, there is, in summer, a comparatively open sea, or " Polynja." 
 The latter opinion is supported by the fact that beasts and fowls 
 are known to migrate over the ice from the mouth of Mackenzie 
 River and its neighboring shores, to the north. In further con- 
 firmation of this conjecture, Lieut, De Haven reported that as he 
 entered Wellington Channel the signs of animal life became 
 more abundant ; and Captain Penny, commander of an English 
 expedition, who penetrated on sledges farther toward the north 
 than it was possible for De Haven to do, reported that he actually 
 arrived on the borders of this open sea. 
 
 314. The Atlantic, being the principal highway of the world's 
 commerce, is better known than any other of the great divisions 
 of the ocean. It covers an area of about 31,000,000 .s^quare miles 
 - — nearly one sixth of the surface of the globe. It is upward of 
 9,000 miles long ; and has an average width, between the conti- 
 nents, of somelhmg more than 3,000 miles. It is narrowest be- 
 tween Greenland and Norway ; its width, there, not exceeding 
 900 miles. Its greatest width, which is not less than 5,000 miles, 
 occurs between the eastern coast of Mexico and the western 
 coast of northern Africa. 
 
 315. The North Atlantic, generally very deep, is noted for ex- 
 tensive shoals in the North Sea and southeast of Newfoundland ; 
 also, for the immense portion of its surface occupied with sea- 
 weed, closely matted together, and forming what is sometimes 
 known as the " Grassy Sea." A region of this weed extends 
 along the meridian of 40° west, between the parallels of 20° 
 and 45° north, bearing the name of " Banks of Fucus." Thence 
 it occurs in varying quantities to the Bahamas, covering an area 
 of more than 1,000,000 geographical miles, or an extent equal to 
 about one third the territory of ihe United States. 
 
 Qiientions. - 3\S. Supposed point of the greatest cold? Open sea or "Polynja"? Con- 
 firmation of this conjecture? 814. The Atlantic Ocean? Its extent? 3 5. The North 
 Atlantic? For what noted? Where are the Banks of Fucus situated? Where else 
 does it occur ? Extent of the sea so occupied ? 
 
100 TEMPERATURE OF THE OCEAN. 
 
 316. The Pacific Ocean extends upward of 9,000 miles from 
 north to south, and 12,000 miles from east to west. Its area is 
 estimated to be equal to nearly three times that of the Atlantic. 
 It was called Pacific, by the early navigators, on account of its 
 peaceful aspect, as compared with the stormy seas about Cape 
 Horn, It is remarkable for the number of its islands and sub- 
 marine coral formations, the last of which render navigation diffi- 
 cult and dangerous. 
 
 317. The Indian Ocean extends upward of 6,000 miles, from 
 the tropic of Cancer, at ihe head of the Arabian Sea, to the Ant- 
 arctic Circle. It has its greatest breadth, amounting to 5,000 
 miles, between the southern point of Africa and Van Diemen's 
 Land. It is remarkable for its hurricanes and monsoons, which 
 will be treated of in another division. 
 
 318. The Antarctic Ocean presents features similar to those 
 of the Arctic ; the ice, however, extends farther from the south 
 pole than from the north. Its waters are almost always agitated ; 
 there is a perpetual swell, and terrific storms are common. Pack- 
 ice occurs to an immense extent. Sir James Ross passed through 
 a belt of it more than 800 miles broad. 
 
 319. The discoveries, in 1840, of Commodore Wilkes, com- 
 mander of the United States Exploring Expedition, established 
 the fact that there is a vast antarctic continent near the south 
 pole. Victoria Land, the most southern land known, was dis- 
 covered, in the same year, by Sir James Ross who penetrated to 
 latitude 78^ 4' south, the point nearest the south pole as yet ever 
 reached 
 
 LESSON XIV. 
 
 THE OCEAN — {continued). 
 
 320. The temperature of the ocean, though varying in diiFer- 
 ;nt latitudes, is more uniform than that of the land. Thus, in 
 equatorial regions, the difference in the temperature of the air 
 
 Questions.— Z\^. What is said of the Pacific Ocean ? Why so called? For what ro« 
 markable? 817. The Indian Ocean? For what remarkable ? 818. Antarctic Ocean ? 
 State of its waters ? Pack-ice ? 319. The discoveriea of Commodore Wilkes ? Of Sir 
 James Ross? 820. What is said of the temperature of the ocean? Illustrate. 
 
COLOB OF THE OCEAlf. 101 
 
 near the surface of the sea, by day and night, does not appear to 
 exceed three or four degrees. In temperate cUmates the diurnal 
 range of temperature is rather greater; but it is by no means equal 
 to that on land. 
 
 321. From numerous observations of the temperature of the 
 ocean the following facts have been deduced: 1. The temper- 
 ature of the surface of the ocean is generally lower at mid-day 
 than that of the atmosphere in the shade. 2. It is always higher 
 at midnight. 3. Morning and evening the two temperatures 
 usually correspond. 4. The mean temperature of the surface of 
 the ocean far from land is greater than that of the atmosphere 
 with which it is in contact. 5. The water is colder where it is 
 shallow than where it is of great depth. 6. The seasonal changes 
 of the temperature of the air do not affect the ocean beyond the 
 depth of 300 feet. 7. The greatest heat of the surface, 88° 5' of 
 Fahrenheit, is found in the Gulf of Mexico, and in one of the 
 havens of New Guinea. 
 
 322. The color of the ocean is generally of a deep bluish green, 
 but it varies with every gleam of sunshine or passing cloud, from 
 the deepest indigo to green, and even to a slaty gray. It is dif- 
 ferent in different localities, depending upon local causes. It is 
 white in the Gulf of Guinea and black around the Maldives. Be- 
 tween China and Japan it is yellowish, and west of the Canaries 
 and Azores it is green. In some parts, as off California, it has a 
 vermilion -hue ; in others, as the eastern division of the Mediter- 
 ranean Sea, a purple tint prevails. 
 
 323. These various shades are, in most instances, caused by 
 myriads of marine animalcules which pervade the deep ; and 
 
 J the magnificent appearance, known as the phosphorescence of 
 the ocean, is owing to the phosphorescent brilliancy of these 
 microscopic tribes. The bed of the ocean, in shallow places, 
 often imparts a tinge to the superincumbent waters, while the 
 gray or turbid appearance, near the mouths of large rivers, arises 
 from the sediment washed in from the land. 
 
 Questions. — 321. What is said of the temperature of ihe surface of the ot-f an at \\\\i i-ilay ? 
 At midnight? Morning and evening? Of the mean temperature of the ocean far from 
 land? Of shallow water? Depths affected by seasonal changes? Where is Ihe greatest 
 heat of the surface found ? 322. Color of the ocean? Mention its hues in different local- 
 ities. 823. How are these shades generally caused ? What other causes affect its color ? 
 
102 
 
 DEPTH OF THE OCEAN. 
 
 324. The depth of the ocean was, until recently, a subject of 
 speculation only. The experiments made during the past few 
 
 years have added more to 
 our knowledge of the depth 
 of the ocean and the shape 
 of the oceanic basins, par- 
 ticularly that of the Atlan- 
 tic, than was ever before 
 known. 
 
 325. Like the dry land, 
 ;^i the bottom of the sea is di- 
 versified with slopes, plains, 
 table-lands, eminences ab- 
 ruptly projecting to within a 
 few faet of the surface, or 
 The Ocean. just peering above the waves, 
 
 and with enormous depressions. It has been generally supposed 
 that the depth of the sea is about equal to the height of the land, 
 the lowest valleys of the ocean's bed corresponding with the 
 summits of the loftiest mountains. 
 
 326. The recent experiments caused to be made by Lieut. 
 Maury, of the National Observatory, seem likely to confirm this 
 conjecture. Before he undertook the subject, there had been no 
 well-directed efforts made to ascertain the depths of the deep 
 sea. Navigators had, indeed, tied weights to lines, and thrown 
 those weights overboard with the view of ascertainmg the depth; 
 but the lines were often unwieldy, and there was no certain 
 means of knowing whether the plummet had reached the bottom, 
 or, if it had reached the bottom, when. 
 
 327. Recent investigation has led to the supposition that there 
 is in the ocean, as in the air, a system of circulation, which, by 
 currents and counter currents, upper and under currents, keeps 
 the waters of the sea perpetually in motion. For it has been 
 found that, generally speaking, when a sounding has been made 
 
 Questions. — 324. What is said of the depth of tlie ocean ? Eecent experiments ? 325. 
 How IS the bottom of the sea diversified? What was generally supposed respecting the 
 depth of the sea? 326. What is said of former efforts to ascertain the depth of the sea? 
 327. To what supposition has recent iuvestigation led ? What circumstances favored this 
 supposition? 
 
DEPTH OF THE OCEAN. 103 
 
 in the deep sea, though the vessel from which it is made be per- 
 fectly at rest, and though it be known that the plummet has 
 reached the bottom, yet the line will continue to run out, and un- 
 less it be suffered to run out, or the plummet be detached from it, 
 a strain so great is brought upon it that it invariably breaks. It 
 is the undertow, or a system of currents "and counter currents 
 below, which, it is supposed, produces thisstrain. 
 
 328. Most of the vessels of the navy are now furnished with 
 twine made "especially for deep-sea soundings ; and the results 
 already obtained have enabled the officers at the National Ob- 
 servatory to construct a map of the basin of the North Atlantic 
 Ocean, which shows the depressions of the solid parts of the 
 earth's crust below the sea-level, and which gives us, perhaps, as 
 good an idea of the profile there as geographers have of the con- 
 trasts aiforded by the elevations of the land in the mterior of 
 Australia. 
 
 329. The deepest soundings ever reported were made in the 
 North and in the South Atlantic Ocean. Lieut. J. C. Walsli,- 
 commander U. S. schooner Taney, being furnished with a large 
 quantity of iron wire made expressly for the purpose, obtained, 
 on the 15th November, 1849, lat. 31° 59' N., long. 58° 43' W., a 
 cast of the plummet, when after 34,200 feet had run out, the wire 
 parted without reaching bottom, as it was thought. On the 12th 
 of Feb., 1853, Lieut. Berryman, of the Dolphin, in lat. 32° 55' N., 
 long. 47° 58' W., obtained a cast of the lead, using the small 
 twine as a sounding line. At this trial 39,600 feet ran out, when 
 the line parted, and it was consequently thought that the plum- 
 met had not reached the bottom. On the 5th of April, 1852, lat. 
 36° S., long. 44° 11' W., Lieut. Parker, of the U. S. frigate 
 Congress, using a 32 lb. cannon ball for his plummet, and sound- 
 ing twine like that of Berryman's, made an experiment at deep- 
 sea soundings, when. 49,800 feet of line ran out before it parted. 
 The time occupied for this sounding was eight hours and a 
 quarter. 
 
 330. The next great sounding was made by Capt. Denham, of 
 
 Questions. — 328. With what are most of the vessels of the navy provided 7 Results ob- 
 tained? 829. When have the deepest soundings been made¥«, Give particulars of the 
 sounding made by Lieut. J. C. Walsh. By Lieut. Berryman. By Lieut. Parker. 330. By 
 Capt. Denham What is thought of these soundings by the light of subsequent experimenta 
 
104 DEPTH OF THE OCEAN. 
 
 H. M. ship Herald, 30th October, 1852, lat. 36° 49' S , long. 
 37° 06' W., with 46,236 feet. He had been furnished with 
 sounding twine from the U. S. frigate Congress, and instead of 
 a 32 lb. shot, his sinker was a 9 lb. lead. By the light which 
 subsequent experience has thrown upon the subject of deep-sea 
 soundings, all four of»these immense depths have had their ac- 
 curacy questioned, and it is believed with reason. 
 
 331. An instrument has been invented by Passed Midshipman 
 J. M. Brooke, of the U. S. Navy, which enables the officers who 
 now attempt deep-sea soundings to detach the plummet from the 
 line the moment it strikes the bottom, and then to haul up, at- 
 tached to the line, specimens of the bottom. In this way speci- 
 mens have been obtained from the depth of 12,000 feet,(about 2^ 
 miles). These specimens have been examined with a microscope 
 by Prof. Bailey at West Point, and found to consist entirely of 
 minute sea-shells, not a particle of sand or gravel, or any foreign 
 matter being among them. From this it is inferred that the wa- 
 ter at the bottom of the sea is comparatively at rest. 
 
 332. The deepest part of the North Atlantic Ocean is prob- 
 ably a little to the south of the Grand Banks of Newfoundland. 
 There is a place there somewhat in the shape of a boot, which 
 none of the officers of the navy have so far been able to fathom. 
 The deepest soundings that have been satisfactorily made show 
 that, in all other parts, the North Atlantic Ocean is not more 
 than 25,000 feet in depth. The soundings which have been 
 made by the navy have established the fact that there is a pla- 
 teau, or shelf, at the bottom of the ocean between Newfoundland 
 and Ireland, quite shallow enough for the wires of a submarine 
 telegraph, and quite deep enough to keep them beyond the reach 
 of icebergs. 
 
 Questions. — 331. How have specimens of the bottom of the ocean been obtained ? Of 
 what have these specimens been found to consist? 332. Where is the deepest part of the 
 Norlh Atlantic supposed to be? What do the soundings show with respect to the depth 
 of the North Atlantic in all other parts? "What other important fact has been established 
 by these soundings ? 
 
WAVES OF THE OCEAN. 105 
 
 LESSON XV. 
 
 THE OCEAN — {continued). 
 
 333. The ocean is subject to three different kinds of motion : 
 it is agitated by the action of the wind, producing waves ; by 
 tides, which result from the attraction of the moon and sun ; and 
 by currents, produced under various circumstances, and resulting 
 from a variety of causes. 
 
 334. Waves are produced by the action of the winds on the 
 surface of the water, and vary in size from mere ripples to enor- 
 mous billows. Their height in open seas depends upon the 
 force and duration of the wind, and the angle at which it bears 
 down upon the waters ; but in lakes and bays it is affected by the 
 shallowness of the waters and the character of the shores ; on 
 which account the shallow waters of Lake Erie are more readily 
 disturbed by winds than the deeper lakes, Ontario and Huron. 
 
 335. Waves are not, as appearances would indicate, an on- 
 ward flow of water. This is proved from the fact that a floating 
 body merely rises and falls with very little or no progression. 
 AVaves agitate the water but a little way below the surface, and 
 it is supposed that the effect of the strongest gales does not ex- 
 tend below the depth of 200 feet. 
 
 336. The crest of a wave {b, b) is the ridge or highest part, 
 and in strong winds is usually 
 
 covered with foam ; the trough i l 
 
 (c) is the depression between 
 two waves, and is as much be- 
 low, as the crest is above, the 
 
 general level of the ocean. In estimating the elevation of a 
 wave, the perpendicular height from the trough to the crest is taken. 
 
 337. Waves are sometimes said to run mountains high, but 
 this is a popular exaggeration. The highest rise noticed in the 
 Mediterranean is 16 feet, and 20 feet off Australia. During a 
 
 Questions. — 833. What are the three difierent kinds of motion to which the ocean is 
 subject? 334. How are waves produced, and how do they vary? Upon what does 
 their height depend ? How is the height affected in lal^es and bays ? 335. How is it 
 proved that waves are not an onward flow of water? 336. "What is the crest of a wave? 
 I'he trough? 837. Give instances to show the height of waves. 
 
 5* 
 
106 TIDES OF THE OCEAN. 
 
 storm in the Bay of Biscay, the highest waves measured scarcely 
 36 feet from the base to the summit. In the South Atlantic the 
 result of several experiments gave only an entire height of 22 
 feet, and a velocity for the undulations of 89 miles per hour, the 
 interval between each wave amounting to 1,910 feet. Ofi the 
 Cape of Good Hope, notoriously the cape of storms, according 
 to its former name, 40 feet is considered the extreme height of 
 waves, or 20 feet above and below the general level of the ocean.* 
 
 338. The sea does not regain its placidity immediately after 
 the subsidence of the winds which set it in motion, but continues 
 to heave with mighty undulations for a considerable time after- 
 ward. This movement is called the " swell." It frequently oc- 
 curs, that while the swell is advancing in one direction, the wind 
 rises from an opposite quarter, producing a series of compound 
 waves, and giving to the deep a very complex aspect. 
 
 339. Tides are those regular alternate risings and fallings of 
 the waters of the ocean and of bays, rivers, etc., which commu- 
 nicate freely with it. They arise from the attractive influence 
 of the sun and mcon, the latter bemg the more powerful agent. 
 The sea rises, or flows, as it is called, by degrees, about six 
 hours ; it remains stationary about a quarter of an hour ; it then 
 retires, or ebbs, during another six hours, to flow agam after a 
 brief repose. Thus high and low wateroccurstwice every lunar 
 day, or the period elapsing between the successive returns of 
 ihe moon to the meridian of a place, which is 24 hours 50^ 
 minutes. 
 
 340. The theory of the tides may be explained as follows : 
 
 OLet E represent the earth 
 entirely surrounded with wa- 
 ter, and m the moon. As 
 the mutual attraction be- 
 tween bodies, whether solid 
 •f or fluid, is greater in propor 
 
 Qit^Uon.s.—^S What is the movement of the sea called which continues after the sub- 
 siilence of the wind ? How are compound waves producea? 839. What are tides ? From 
 what do they arise ? Describe the successive movements of the sea. 340. How may the 
 theory of the tides be explained ? 
 
 ♦ Eev. Thomas Milnex. 
 
TIDES OF THE OCEAN. 107 
 
 tion as the distance between them is less, it follows that the 
 points of shortest distance will be those of greatest attraction ; 
 and, hence, the waters at a will be more powerfully attracted than 
 those at e and /", and the result will be a bulging out at a. 
 
 341 But while high water is thus produced at «, it. also occurs, 
 at the same time, in the opposite hemisphere, at d. Different 
 causes^ have been assigned for this phenomenon ; but it is probably 
 likewise owing to the attractive influence of the moon. The 
 earth's center, E, will be more powerfully drawn toward the moon 
 than the waters at d, and recede from them, producing the same 
 effect as though they receded or rose up from the center of the 
 earth. As the waters can not rise in one place without falling in 
 another, they are depressed at e and/, when elevated at a and d. 
 
 342. If the earth remained stationary upon its axis, there 
 would be two elevations and depressions of the waters in each 
 place in a month, or the time the moon is making her circuit 
 round the earth. But by the diurnal rotation, the moon passes 
 every day the meridian of every part of the globe, producing 
 daily two seasons of high and low water. 
 
 343. The time of high tide does not coincide with the time 
 when the moon is on the meridian of the place, a period of sev- 
 eral hours ordinarily intervening between the time of the moon's 
 transit and that of high water. The explanation of this is, that 
 the water, having received motion, continues to rise after the 
 moon has passed from its meridian, the impulse continuing for 
 some time after the moon's transit. 
 
 344. Besides the attraction of the moon, the influence of the 
 sun is concerned in elevating the waters of the ocean. The 
 solar attraction is not as strong as the lunar, because, though a 
 much larger body, the sun is at a far greater distance from the 
 earth. The tidal influence of the sun has been calculated to be 
 about one third that of the moon. 
 
 345. Sometimes the sun and moon act in conjunction, as at 
 
 Questions. — 341. Explain how high water will be produced in the hemisphere oppo- 
 site the moon. 842. What would happen if the earth remained stationary? Whatoefursby 
 the diurnal rotation ? 343. What is said of the time of high water ? How explained ? 
 844. "What is said of the influence of the sun on the tides? 845. When do the spring-tides 
 occur ? The neap-tides ? 
 
108 
 
 TIDES OF THE OCEAN. 
 
 the seasons of new and full moon, .c and d, and then the 
 tides rise the highest, and are called spring-tides ; but when 
 
 the moon is in quadrature, as 
 at b and c, it acts in opposi- 
 tion to the sun, and then oc- 
 cur the lowest, or neap-tides. 
 
 346. Though high tides oc- 
 cur in open seas scon after the 
 moon has passed the meridian, 
 yet in other places shoals and 
 channels, peninsulas and capes, 
 and the diversified form of 
 shores, so retard the progress of the undulation, that high water 
 happens at all distances of the moon from the meridian, and con- 
 sequently at all hours of the day. Difierences of local situation 
 cause great difierences as to the height to which the tide rises. In 
 the central parts of the ocean the height is comparatively small, 
 seldom exceeding three feet, but in rushing up contracted chan- 
 nels the tide-water frequently causes a difierence of twenty, 
 thirty, and sixty feet between high and low water mark, 
 
 347. The cradle of tides is supposed to be that part of the 
 Pacific Ocean to the southeast of Australia. Proceeding from 
 this quarter, a wave advances into the Indian Ocean, reaching 
 the island of Sumatra, the southern point of Hindoostan, the 
 island of Madagascar, and the Cape of Good Hope about the 
 same time. (See map No. 1.) 
 
 348. Entering the Atlantic, the wave proceeds northerly and 
 Avesterly, brmging high water successively to all parts on the 
 western shores of Africa, and eastern shores of America, It 
 moves with much greater rapidity through the central parts of 
 the ocean than along the coast — in consequence of which it 
 reaches the islands of Cuba and Newfoundland, and Cape Blanco 
 in Africa, simultaneously. The Atlantic coast of the United 
 
 Questions. — S46. What serve to retard the progress of the undulatiou ? What is said 
 of the differences of local sitnation in affecting tides ? Illustrate. 3i7. What is supposed 
 to be the cradle of the tides? Describe the movements of a wave X)i"oceeding from this 
 quarter. S4S. Its progress aft«r entering the AUantio Ocean? "What three points are 
 reached gimultaneously ? 
 
TIDES . 
 
 109 
 
 States receives the wave from the east, while the western coast 
 of Europe receives it from the west ; its direction, in the latter 
 case, being nearly the reverse of what it was before doubling the 
 Cape of Good Hope. 
 
 349. Along the shores of South America, from Rio Janeiro to 
 the Falkland Islands, a wave advances from east to west, bring- 
 ing high tide later on going southward, as if the wave came from 
 the north. On the western coast of South America, the tide 
 between the Gulf of Panama and the Strait of Magellan travels 
 from north to south. And, on the same side of North America, 
 it travels from the Gulf of Panama, northward, to Queen Char- 
 lotte's Sound. 
 
 350. The height to which tides rise, varies greatly in different 
 places. At St. Helena, the rise does not exceed three feet ; at 
 St. Male's, on the north coast of France, the spring tides rise 50 
 feet ; at Chepstow, on the British Channel, 60 feet ; and, in the 
 Bay of Fundy, between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, it is 
 known to rise 70 feet. On some occasions, the rapidity of the 
 waters is so great as to overtake animals feeding on the shores. 
 
 TIDE TABLE FOK THE COAST OF THE ITNITED STATES.* 
 
 Portland 
 
 Boston 
 
 New Bedford Harbor. 
 
 Newport 
 
 New Haven 
 
 New York 
 
 Old Point Comfort.... 
 
 BuUimore 
 
 Smithville 
 
 Savannah 
 
 Key West 
 
 Interval between 
 
 time ot moon's tian" 
 
 sit and time of high 
 
 water. 
 
 Mean. 
 
 H. H. 
 
 11 25 
 
 11 22 
 7 57 
 
 7 45 
 11 16 
 
 8 13 
 8 17 
 
 18 33 
 
 7 19 
 
 8 13 
 
 9 22 
 
 Dlf. betw. 
 greatest 
 and least 
 
 44 
 44 
 41 
 
 24 
 
 1 8 
 46 
 50 
 43 
 47 
 
 51 
 
 1 12 
 
 Rise and Fall. 
 
 Mean. 
 Feet. 
 
 101 
 3-8 
 8-9 
 58 
 43 
 25 
 1-3 
 4-5 
 6-5 
 1-4 
 
 Spring. 
 Feet. 
 
 10 
 131 
 46 
 4-6 
 6-G 
 5-4 
 
 1-5 
 5-5 
 7-6 
 2-3 
 
 Neap. 
 Feet. 
 
 76 
 7-4 
 2-S 
 3-1 
 51 
 34 
 
 0-9 
 
 3-8 
 5-5 
 0-7 
 
 Mean Buration. 
 
 Flood. 
 
 H. M. 
 
 6 14 
 6 16 
 
 6 50 
 6 21 
 6 21 
 6 
 6 1 
 
 5 54 
 
 6 1 
 
 5 4 
 
 6 59 
 
 6 Vi 
 6 IS 
 
 5 33 
 
 6 8 
 6 5 
 6 25 
 6 25 
 6 83 
 
 6 26 
 
 7 22 
 5 25 
 
 20 
 9 
 42 
 23 
 
 23 
 
 26 
 14 
 
 12 
 
 Questions. — 349. What is the direction of the wave south of Rio Janeiro? Describe its 
 movements on the western coast of South America. On the western coast of North 
 America. 350. Mention the height to which tides rise at different places. 
 
 * The author is Indebted for the above table to the kindness of A. D. Baohe, Superin> 
 tendent of the Ui.itod States Coast Survey. 
 
11<^ CUKKENTS OF THE OCEAN. 
 
 LESSON XYI. 
 
 THE OCEAN — (^continued). 
 
 351. CufjRENTS constitute the third oceanic movement. They 
 consist of vast oceanic streams which keep up a perpetual circu- 
 lation of the waters, transferring them from, one hemisphere to 
 another, — from the Pacific to the Atlantic, and to the Pacjfic 
 again, — and from the polar seas to the warm regions of the torrid 
 zone. 
 
 352. Currents are due to a variety of causes ; as the influence 
 of tides and winds, — the evaporating power of the sun, — the 
 expansion and contraction of water by heat and cold, — and the 
 revolution of the earth upon its axis. 
 
 353. The eff'ect of the rise and fall of tides in producing an 
 alternate flowing of currents in opposite directions, is perceived 
 in channels between islands, or between islands and the main- 
 land. Thus, in the channel which connects Long Island Sound 
 with the Harbor of New York, known as the East River, strong 
 currents alternately prevail in opposite directions, as the tide 
 ebbs or flows. 
 
 354. Evaporation by solar heat is another cause of oceanic 
 currents. Large quantities of water raised from one tract of the 
 ocean are transported to some other, where the vapor is condensed 
 and falls in the form of rain ; this, in flo\ying back to restore 
 equilibrium, causes sensible currents. A perpetual stream flows 
 into the Mediterranean from the Black Sea through the Bospo- 
 rus and the Hellespont, and another from the Atlantic through the 
 Strait of Gibraltar. No counter, lateral, or submarine currents 
 haA'e been discovered sufficient to dispose of the quantity of wa- 
 ter flowing inward ; hence the inference that the inward currer.fc 
 goes to supply the waste caused by an enormous evaporation. 
 
 355. The expansion and contraction of water by heat and cold 
 are, perhaps, the principal causes to which currents are due. 
 
 QuesUtms. — SjI. OI' what do currents consist? 852. To what are they due? 853. Where 
 is the effeci of the rise and fall of tides in producing currents perceived? Example. 354. 
 IIo<v does evaporation by sf>Iar heat operate to produce currents? Mention what is said 
 of the Mediterranean Sea. 855. What are perhaps the prlacipal causes to which currents 
 are due? Explain how they affect the currents. 
 
AKCTIC CUKEENT. Ill 
 
 Warm water is specifically lighter than cold, and when certain 
 portions become heated, they rise by reason of their buoyancy 
 above the general surface, and are replaced by surrounding colder 
 and heavier fluid flowing in beside or beneath them. 
 
 356. The revolution of the earth about its axis is still another 
 powerful cause in producing currents, particularly those of the 
 equatorial regions, which have commonly a westerly direction. 
 The winds of tropical climates, which blow continuously, or 
 during long periods in one direction, also lend their influence in 
 affecting this class of oceanic movements. 
 
 357. Oceanic currents are classed as constant, periodical, varia- 
 ble, counter, and drift currents. Constant currents are produced 
 by the rotation of the earth, differences of temperature in the 
 waters of the ocean, and other causes not yet fully understood. 
 Periodical currents are principally due to the action of tides, 
 though they are doubtless affected somewhat by the land and sea 
 breezes and monsoons. Variable currents are occasioned by tides, 
 winds, and the melting of ice in the polar regions. Counter cur- 
 rents are the streams that flow alongside or beneath, and in op- 
 posite directions to, other currents. Drift currents are the eff"ect 
 of permanent and prevailing winds upon the surface of the sea, 
 and a variety of other causes. 
 
 358. Arctic Current. — The north polar or Arctic Current, 
 after passing round the North Cape of Europe, crosses the upper 
 part of the Atlantic, running to the southwest till it reaches the 
 east coast of Greenland. It then traverses the jiarrow sea be- 
 tween that country and Iceland, turns round Caps Farewell, the 
 southern extremity of Greenland, and proceeds northward into 
 Davis' Strait. It follows the eastern side of the strait as far to 
 the north as Holsteinborg, in latitude 67°, where it abruptly turns 
 to the west, and strikes the opposite shore of Cape Walsingham. 
 From thence its course is southward to Labrador and the north 
 bank of Newfoundland, where it meets the Gulf Stream. 
 
 359. The breadth of the Arctic Current is, in some places, from 
 
 Questions. — 356. What other causes are instrumental in producing currents 1 35T. How 
 may currents be classed ? What arc constant currents ? Periodical currents? Variable 
 currents ? Counter currents 1 Drift currents ? 858. What is the course of the north po- 
 lar or Arctic Current previous to its reaching Cape Farewell ? After it turns round Cape 
 V,irt;well? -ioO. What is the breadth of this current? Its velocity? 
 
112 EQUATOKIAL CUEEENT. 
 
 250 to 300 miles. Its velocity varies, in different parts of its 
 course, from eight or nine to fifteen or sixteen miles per day. 
 The icy masses it bears along are supposed to be about two 
 months in making the before-mentioned circuit from Cape Fare- 
 well to the coast of Labrador. 
 
 360. This current is distinguished for the great amount of 
 drift-wood which it floats along and casts upon the shores of 
 Spitzbergen, Iceland, and other lands lying in its way. The 
 masses of floating wood thrown upon the island of Jan Mayen 
 often equal, it is said, the whole of the island in extent. It is 
 supposed that this timber comes from the forests cf Siberia, 
 and is carried into the Arctic Ocean by the streams of Northern 
 Asia. 
 
 361. Recent observations in high northern latitudes show that 
 the Arctic Current presents one of the most formidable difiiculties 
 in exploring the polar regions. Parry, who attempted to reach 
 the north pole by means of boat-sledges and reindeer, traveled 
 over the surface of the deep to nearly latitude 83°, which seemed 
 to be the utmost limit of animal life. Here he found that when, 
 according to his reckonuig, he had traveled ten or eleven miles 
 toward the north, he had actually gone four miles to the south, 
 owing to the current. The success of the expedition was thus 
 rendered hopeless. The two vessels of the Grinnell Expedition 
 which were sent out, under the command of Lieut. De Haven, to 
 search for Sir John Franklin, after having penetrated far into 
 Wellington Channel, were inclosed firmly in the ice, and drifted 
 backward through Baflin's Bay, a distance of not less than fifteen 
 hundred miles, thus baffling one of the noblest and most humane 
 enterprises ever undertaken. 
 
 362. Equatorial Current. — The most extensive movement 
 of the ocean is that which proceeds from east to virest, on each 
 side of the equator, and is therefore called the Equatorial Current. 
 This great oceanic current originates in the immense expanse of 
 the Antarctic Ocean. It first moves in a northeasterly direction 
 
 QnestioiJs. — 360. For what is it distinguished ? 361 . What do recent observations in high 
 northern latitudes show ? Describe the attempt of Parry to reach tlie north polo. Tho 
 drift of the two vessels of the Grinnell Expedition. 862. Which is the most extensive 
 movement of the ocean, and what is it called? Where does it originate? Describe iu 
 course. 
 
MEXICAN GULF STREAM. 113 
 
 until it reaches the western shores of South America ; a small 
 branch rounds Cape Horn, but the great stream flows along the 
 American coast until it arrives off the shores of Peru ; it then 
 turns toward the west, and in a belt 3,500 miles broad, moves 
 westwardly through the Pacific. 
 
 363. On reaching the Indian Archipelago and Australia, it is 
 divided into numerous smaller streams, and hence the variable 
 currents prevailing in the Indian Ocean, which render navigation 
 so dangerous. A large volume of water forces its way through 
 the islands, and joins the great equatorial current which moves 
 on toward the eastern coast of Africa. The greater portion of 
 the stream flows round north of the island of Madagascar, and 
 sweeps through the channel of Mozambique, after which, being 
 joined by other currents from the east, it doubles Cape Hewr and 
 enters the bed of the Atlantic. 'r - '' 
 
 364. Proceeding northward along the western shores of Af- 
 rica, it mingles with the Great Atlantic equatorial current which 
 flows out of the Gulf of Guinea. The Equatorial Current, on 
 reaching Cape St. Roque, the most eastern point of South Amer- 
 ica, is separated into two branches. One proceeds southward 
 along the coast of South America, and before reaching the mouth 
 of the La Plata, it is turned toward the east, and under the name 
 of the South Connecting Current, makes the circuit of the South 
 Atlantic Ocean, entering the Indian Ocean 200 miles to the south 
 of the Cape of Good Hope. 
 
 365. The other and principal branch, known by the name of 
 the Guinea Current, is a direct continuation of the equatorial. It 
 runs from off Cape St. Roque, across the mouth of the Amazon, 
 and after skirting the low coast of Guiana, and passing through 
 the Caribbean Sea, it enters the Gulf of Mexico, between the 
 island of Cuba and the peninsula of Yucatan. 
 
 366. Mexican Gulf Stream. — This is the most powerful cur- 
 rent known, and the most important in consequence of the extent 
 
 Questimxs. — 363. What happens on its reaching the Indian Archipelago and Austra- 
 lia? Describe its subsequent course until it reaches Cape Horn. SG4. Its course throusrh 
 the Atlantic. Where is it divided ? What is tlie course of the southern branch ? 365. 
 What is the name of the otlier branch, and where does it nni ? 366. What is said of the 
 Mexican Gulf Stream? Where does it originate ? Its velocity through the straits of Florida? 
 Its subsequent course ? Its course after striking the baal::3 of Newfoundland ? 
 
114: MEXICAN GULF STREAM. 
 
 to which it affects the navigation of the Atlantic. It originates in 
 the Gulf of Mexico, the waters of which are characterized by 
 a remarkably high temperature.* It pours forth at the rate of 
 five miles an hour through the straits of Plorida, and flows in a 
 northeasterly direction along the w'hole coast of the United 
 States, expanding in volume and diminishing in rapidity. On 
 striking the banks of Newfoundland, it sets to the east, and trav- 
 erses the basin of the Atlantic to the Azores, where it turns south 
 and enters the Equatorial Current on the coast of Africa, and 
 is conducted again to the west, to re-enter into itself in the Gulf 
 of Mexico. Thus the waters of the Atlantic Ocean between the 
 parallels of 11° and 43° constitute a whirlpool of prodigious ex- 
 tent, by which a single particle of water describes a circuit of 
 over 11,000 miles in the space of two years and ten months. 
 
 367. The color of the Gulf Stream, as it issues from the straits 
 of Florida, is a dark indigo-blue ; the line of junction between it 
 and the green waters of the Atlantic, is plainly seen for hundreds 
 of miles. This line is finally lost to the eye as the stream goes 
 north, though it is preserved to the thermometer for several 
 thousand miles. From observations made with the deep-sea 
 thermometer, it has been ascertained that "the stream, as far as the 
 banks of Newfoundland, flows through a bed of cold water, which 
 cold water performs to the warm the office of banks to a river."t 
 
 Questioiis. — 867. What is the color of the Gulf Stream? What fact has been ascer- 
 tained respecting it ? 
 
 * Different opinions have been formed respecting the cause of the Gulf Stream. It ia 
 supposed by some, that the waters of the Mexican Gulf have a higher level than those 
 of the Atlantic in consequence of the trade winds and the influx of the Equatorial Current; 
 and that the current is merely the rv/nning offoi the water, in order to restore an equilib- 
 rium. Accordingly, the stream has been liliened to "an immense river descending from a 
 higher level into a plain." But Lieut. Maury has very satisfactorily disproved this theory, 
 and shown that, "instead of descending, ila bed (the bed of the stream) represents the 
 surface of an inclined plane from the north. ui> which ihe lower depths of the stream must 
 ascend." In the absence of any better theory respecting the cause of this remarkable 
 current, it is safe to assume that it is influenced much by the excessive temperature im- 
 parted to the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The course of the Gulf Stream has been as- 
 signed to the difference in density between the waters of the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf 
 of Mexico, and those of the Baltic and the North seas. The waters of the former coulsin 
 a larger proportion of salt, and are consequently heavier than common sea water; while 
 thoae of the latter, being only slightly impregnated with saline matter, are much lighter 
 than common sea water. This difference in density destroys the equilibrium and produces 
 a current; "for wherever equilibrium be destroyed, it is restored by motion, and motion 
 among fluid particles gives rise to currents, which, in turn, constitute circuliition." 
 
 t Lieut. M. F. Maury. 
 
jiEXIOAN GULF STKEAM. 115 
 
 368. Coming from the heated caldron of the Gulf of Mexico, 
 the waters of the Gulf Stream have a high temperature, which is 
 gradually lost as they reach higher latitudes, " The maximum 
 temperature of the Gulf Stream is 86°, or about 9° above the 
 ocean temperature due the latitude. Increasing its latitude 10°, 
 it loses 2° of temperature. And, after having run 3,000 miles 
 toward the north, it still preserves, even in winter, the heat of 
 summer. With this temperature it crosses the 40th degree of 
 north latitude, and there, overflowing its liquid hanks, it spreads 
 itself out for thousands of square leagues over the cold waters 
 around, and covers the ocean with a mantle of warmth that 
 serves so much to mitigate in Europe the rigors of winter. 
 Moving now more slowly, but dispensing its genial influences 
 more freely, it finally meets the British Islands. By these it is 
 divided, one part going into the polar basin of Spitzbergen, the 
 other entering the Bay of Biscay, but each with a warmth con- 
 siderably above ocean temperature. Such an immense volume 
 of heated water can not fail to carry with it beyond the seas a 
 mild and moist atmosphere. And this it is which so much softens 
 climate there."* 
 
 Questions. — 86S. What is said of its temperature ? What is its maximum or greatest 
 temperature, and how many degrees is it above that due the Ittitude ? Describe bow the 
 Oulf Stream serves to moderate the climate of Europe. 
 
 * Lieut M. F. MaoTjr 
 
PART III. 
 
 THE ATMOSPHERE. 
 
 LESSON I. 
 
 COMPOSITION OF AIR. 
 
 >V 
 
 TMOSPHERE is the name of 
 that thin, transparent, and highly 
 elastic fluid which envelops the 
 earth, and accompanies it in its 
 diurnal and annual revolutions. 
 It is lighter than either land or 
 water, and rises above them ; 
 but is kept, by the force of grav- 
 ity, close to the surface of the 
 earth, where it is indispensable 
 to all animated nature. It is a 
 medium through which sound, light, and odor are transmitted ; it 
 IS the vehicle in which moisture is raised and by which it is dif- 
 fused ; it is also one of the agents by which that diversity of 
 color, so pleasing to the eye in natural objects, is produced. 
 
 370. Atmosphere is unlike the great divisions of land and 
 water in not being perceptible to the touch unless in agitation. 
 Its existence as a material substance is evident the moment it is 
 set in motion. It not only carries away in its progress the lighter 
 substances with which it' comes in contact, but, when greatly agi- 
 tated, uproots trees, crumbles rocks, and overturns buildings. Its 
 motion is applied as a mechanical force, and as such is of vast 
 use to man in wafting his vessels over the ocean. 
 
 371. The atmosphere is composed principally of two different 
 
 Queatiovs. — 369. Of what is atmosphere the name ? What is said of its lighiness ? 
 What else is remarked of it? 370. How is atmosphere unlike the great divisions of land 
 and water? Its effects when in motion? Its motion how applied? 371. Of what is the 
 atmosphere principally composed, and in what proportions? What other substances does 
 it contain ? State the composition of 1000 parts of the atmosphere. 
 
COMPOSITION OF AIR. 117 
 
 gases, termed oxygen and nitrogen, the relative proportions 
 being 21 parts of the former to 79 of the latter. It contains a 
 small but variable proportion of aqueous vapor, and a still smaller 
 proportion of carbonic acid gas. The proportions of oxygen and 
 nitrogen are definite, but the amount of aqueous vapor fluctuates. 
 Under ordinary circumstances, the composition of 1000 parts of 
 the atmosphere may be stated as follows : 
 
 Oxygen 210-0 
 
 Nitrogen 775-0 
 
 Aqueous vapor 14'2 
 
 Carbonic acid > 0-8 
 
 iooo-0 
 
 372. The same proportions of oxygen and nitrogen are found 
 in the atmosphere of all countries, and at all elevations, over 
 land and over sea, on the summit of the highest mountains and at 
 their base, at the equator and in high northern and southern lati- 
 tudes. The quantity of carbonic acid gas is, how^ever, greater 
 near the level of the sea in summer than in winter ; greater 
 during the night than the day ; and rather more abundant on the 
 summit of high mountains than on plains. 
 
 373. Oxygen gas is a supporter of combustion, and is required 
 for the support of animal life ; while nitrogen, in its unmixed state, 
 is destructive to both. Without oxygen, fires would cease to 
 burn, and all animals would immediately expire. By the process 
 of breathing, it is taken into the lungs and goes to purify the 
 blood. When the blood is brought into the lungs it is of a dark 
 purple color ; but it then throws off the hydrogen and carbon, and 
 receives oxygen, which gives it a bright red color. 
 
 Questions. — 372. What is said of the invariable proportions of oxygen and nitrogen in 
 common air? In -what localities, and at what times, is the quantity of carbonic acid great- 
 er? 878. What is said of oxygen gas? Of nitrogen gas ? What would happen without 
 oxygen? What is the color of the blood when brought into the lungs? What change 
 then takes place ? 
 
118 
 
 PEOPEKTIES OF THE ATMOSPHEEB. 
 
 LESSON II. 
 
 PROPERTIES OF THE ATMOSPHERE. 
 
 374. The general properties of the atmosphere are transpa- 
 rency, fluidity, weight, and elasticity. Transparency in the at- 
 mosphere is that state or 
 property by which it suf- 
 fers the free passage of 
 light, so that objects may 
 be distinctly seen through 
 it. The various degrees 
 of clearness observable in 
 the atmosphere are deter- 
 mined by the quantity of 
 aqueous vapor and other 
 r foreign substances which 
 
 float in it. Distant objects sometimes 
 appear much nearer than at others, 
 a phenomenon occasioned by the dif- 
 ference in the purity of the atmos- 
 phere, or its freedom from extrane- 
 ous particles of matter. 
 o75. By the fluidity uf the atmosphere is meant that property 
 which renders it impressible to the slightest force, and by which 
 the particles easily move among themselves, or change their rel- 
 ative positions. Fluidity is a property common to liquid and aeri- 
 form substances. The atmosphere, like other fluids, presses in 
 all directions, upward as well as downward, and is capable of 
 supporting light bodies. 
 
 376. The air is ponderable, or has weight. The pressure 
 fr weight exerted upon every square inch of the earth's surface 
 is equal to about 15 pounds. In consequence of its fluidity, it 
 
 Questions. — 374. What are the general properties of the atmosphere ? What is trans- 
 parency ? To what are the various degrees of clearness owing ? Why do distant objects 
 appear sometimes twice as near as at others? 375. What is meant by the fluidity of the 
 atmosphere ? How does the atmosphere press ? S76. What is the pressure or weight on 
 every square inch of the earth's surface? What pressure does the human body of tho 
 ordinary size sustain ? Why do we not feel the pressure 1 
 
PEOFEKTIES OF THE ATMOSPHEKE. 119 
 
 presses equally in every direction, and the human body, of the 
 ordinary size (supposed to measure 15 square feet), sustams thb 
 enormous pressure of 31,360 pounds or 14 tons. We do not 
 feel the pressure, owing to its acting uniformly on all sides, and 
 because the air within our bodies perfectly counterpoises the ex- 
 ternal pressure. 
 
 377. The weight of a column of the entire atmosphere is 
 equal to that of a column of water of the same base about 34 feet 
 high, or a similar column of mercury 30 inches high. The 
 pressure diminishes as we ascend, according to a scale, which i? 
 nearly certain. From numerous observations it has been ascer 
 tained that 
 
 H 
 
 7 
 
 at the I 14 miles above the level 16 I times lighter than at 
 height of ' 17.;^ of the sea, the air is 32 [ the earth's surface. 
 21 
 24i 
 L28 
 
 378. The pressure of the atmosphere is indicated by the 
 barometer (the measure of weight), an instrument consisting of 
 a column of mercury poised or pressed up into a vacuum by the 
 weight of the atmosphere. The mercury rises or falls according 
 to the pressure of the atmosphere, its range, at the level of the 
 sea, being from about 28 to 31 inches. 
 
 379. The barometer is used for determining the height of 
 mountains. At the level of the sea, the pressure is greatest in 
 consequence of the weight of all the superincumbent atmosphere, 
 and hence at that point the highest column of mercury will be 
 
 'sustained; but as we ascend, this superincumbent pressure is di- 
 minished, and consequently the mercury falls. Thus, Humboldt, 
 at the foot of Mount Chimborazo, found the barometer to stand 
 exactly at 30 inches ; but, on ascending the mountain to the ele- 
 vation of 19,000 feet, it was very little higher than 14 inches. 
 
 Questions.— Zll. To what is the weight of a column of atmosphere equal? 878. By 
 ■what instrument is the pressure of the atmosphere indicated ? What is the range of the 
 mercurial column at ihe level of the sea? 379. For what is the barometer used? Where 
 will the highest column of mercury be sustained, and why? Why does it fall as we 
 ascend ? "What did Humboldt discover ? Lieut. Herndon ? What have experiments 
 proved? 
 
120 PROPEKTIES OF THE ATMOSPHERE. 
 
 In the pass of Antarangra (one of the highest passes of the 
 Andes), Lieut. Herndon found the barometer to stand at 16-73 
 inches, indicating an elevation of 16,044 feet. Experiments 
 have proved that the mercury will fall about y'g- of an inch for 
 every 100 feet of perpendicular height, or one inch for every 
 1,000 feet. 
 
 380. The density or pressure of the atmosphere is, by another 
 method, made subservient to the measurement of heights ; name- 
 ly, by observing the boiling point of w^ater, which decreases in a 
 ratio nearly equivalent to the decrease of atmospheric pressure. 
 At the level of the sea, M^ater boils, or passes into the state of 
 steam, at 212° Fahrenheit, but at the Hospice of the Great St. 
 Bernard, it boils at the lower temperature of 203°, and on the 
 top of Mont Blanc, at 186°. In the pass of Antarangra, Lieut. 
 Herndon found water to boil at 182° 5' From these and other 
 observations, it may be inferred that a difference of one degree in 
 the boiling point of water, as indicated by the common thermom- 
 eter, answers very nearly to 550 feet of elevation. 
 
 381. The elasticity of the atmosphere is the property it pos- 
 sesses of occupying less space under the influence of certain 
 forces, and returning to its original volume when the influence 
 is withdrawn. Hence its density is not uniform, but, as before 
 explained, diminishes from below upward. The height of the 
 atmosphere is not known, but it is supposed to extend to about 
 fifty miles. By far the greater portion of it is within fifteen or 
 twenty miles of the earth's surface ; and at a much less distance 
 it becomes so rarefied as to be incapable of supporting life. 
 
 382. Travelers on high mountains have experienced sensible, 
 and sometimes painful, proofs of the rarefied state of the air. In 
 very elevated regions the thinness of the air diminishes the in- 
 tensity of sound, renders breathing difficult, and produces a loss of 
 physical strength. The blood burst from the ears and lips of Hum- 
 
 Questioni. — 3S0. By what other method may the density of the atmosphere be mnde 
 Bnbservient to the meiisurement of heights? At wliat degree of Fahrenheit does water boU 
 at the level of the sea? At the Hospice of the Great St. Bernard ? On the top of Mont 
 Blano? In the pass of Antaran<rra? What elevation is found to answer the difference 
 of one desrree in the boiling point? 381. What is the elasticity of the atmosphere? How 
 does its density diminish? What is the supposed height of the atmosphere? 382. What 
 have travelers on high mountains experienced ? What effects are produced by the thin- 
 ness of the air? 
 
WINDS. 121 
 
 boldt in attempting to reach a high elevation in the Andes. He 
 experienced the same difficulty in kindling and maintaining a fire 
 at great heights, which Marco Polo felt on the mountains of 
 Central Asia. In the high regions of the Andes -a malady pre- 
 vails, called veta, which is thus spoken of by Lieut. Herndon : 
 " Veta is the sickness caused by the rarity of the atmosphere 
 at these great elevations. The Indians call it veta, or vein, be- 
 cause they believe it is caused by veins of metal diffusing around 
 a poisonous infection. The affection displays itself in a violent 
 headache, with the veins of the head swollen and turgid, a diffi- 
 culty of respiration and cold extremities." 
 
 LESSON III. 
 
 WINDS. 
 
 383. The atmosphere remains at rest as long as its density 
 is unchanged ; but, as soon as the equilibrium is broken by 
 any cause whatever, a motion occurs, which is called wind. If, 
 in one part of the atmosphere, the air becomes dense, it passes 
 away to those parts where the density is less, in the same man- 
 ner as air, compressed in a pair of bellows, escapes by the orifice. 
 We may compare this displacement of air to that of water in 
 rivers ; it is a flowing of the aerial ocean from one region toward 
 another. 
 
 384. The currents of the atmosphere perform many invaluable 
 services to man. They renew the air of cities ; and they miti- 
 gate the climates of the north by bringing to them the heat of the 
 south. They transport the clouds from the sea to the interior 
 of continents, thus aiding to fertilize regions which would other- 
 wise become arid and uninhabitable. They waft the sails of the 
 navigator around the globe, bring distant nations into familiarity, 
 and are thus greatly iinstrumental in the dilTusion of civilization 
 and Cliristianity throughout the world. 
 
 QiiPKtfovfi. — OSS. How Inns d<ies the atmosphere remain at rest? What occurs when 
 ths equililiriiim is broken ? If in one [)arl of the atmosjihere the air becomes delist-, what 
 Tollows? To wh:it m;iy this displiicement of the air be compared? SS4. Describe the 
 uses of ibe atmospheric currents. 
 
 6 
 
122 WINDS. 
 
 385. To indicate the direction of the wind the horizon is 
 divided into eight equal parts, and the wind is designated by 
 giving it the name of the points of the horizon whence it blows. 
 The eight kiwds of winds are north, north-east, cast, south-east, 
 south, south-west, west, and north-west. It is customary to Avrite 
 merely the initial of these words, that is : N., N. E., E., S. E., 
 S., S. W., W., N. W. 
 
 386. The general direction of the wind near the surface of the 
 earth is indicated by vanes. They are commonly placed on ele- 
 vated buildings, such as steeples, towers, etc., so that small va- 
 riations, resulting from accidents of the ground, may not have 
 any action on them. Clouds indicate the direction of the upper 
 aerial currents ; and show that it differs very often from the 
 direction of the wind on the surface of the earth. 
 
 387. That the direction of the wind in the upper regions is 
 often the reverse of what it is in the lower, has been conclu- 
 sively proved. During an eruption of the volcano of St. Vincent 
 in 1812, the ashes were conveyed in great quantities to the 
 island of Barbadoes, situated to the east. These islands lie in 
 the range of the trade-winds, which blow from the east toward 
 the west ; but the ashes, having been launched into the air as 
 high as the region of the upper current, were transported by it 
 in the direction from west to east. At the summit of the Peak 
 of Tenerifie almost all travelers have found west winds, while 
 east winds prevail at the level of the sea. On the 25th of Feb- 
 ruary, 1835, the ashes emitted from the volcano of Coseguina, in 
 the state of Guatemala, obscured the light of the sun for five days ; 
 they rose into a high region of the atmosphere, and fell a short 
 time afterward in the streets of Kingston, in Jamaica, which is 
 situated to the N. E. of Guatemala, the winds near the surface 
 all the while blowing toward the S. W. 
 
 Qufistions. — 385. Into how many parts is the horizon flivided to indicate the direction 
 of tlie -wind ? IIciw is tlio wind designated? What are the eight kinds of winds? Their 
 initials? 3S6. How is the general direction of the winds near the surface of the earih 
 indicated? Where are Ihey commonly placed, and why? What do clouds indicate? 
 8S7. What is said of the reverse direction of upper and under currents ? Of the eruption 
 of the volcano of St. Vincent? What have travelers found at the summit of the Peak 
 of Teneriffe? Wliat further illustration of this fact was afforded by the transportation 
 of ashes emitted from the volcano of Coseguina ? 
 
the Uglxt wa.ve^ Uiiz-.s, n?u\-7i era. -^.^ /hr Jlaj' from -Eci-yf to 
 West ttj'e isotkerms ,ot- 7jues of-'f/tiaJ ni.eim terapcratjn'e^, 
 'arid, the fiijia-es otUtclied to i^tJ.cli mmi'-lc the defrree ^r^jnean 
 anyiztcil hea.t'A\in.cli it fcpri'.''-ent.'-- a>i^ n/iir/i. isttirsarne ui 
 
 n'/l f'lacr.s rJ}Toiiqli whirii it pn-^ses . 
 
 V > ^ 
 
 o c J-: 
 SGUTHEft^ RtGION of VARIABLE \^1nDS^f__w_h^ 
 
 4} f 
 
 Map oJ' 
 
 the; 'Itori^ib 
 
 rUuxtiulviy 
 ■l-Hi: PRIXCrPAI- FEJVTXIKES op 
 
 METEOROLOGY. 
 
 In tht fm alter IJcqtMie shaflinfi ia daTl.nin pToportimL i 
 the qvmitin- ofJifnj,_Ml,ich falls ajiJuiallv is ejieater. 
 
 SOUTH ERN 
 
l»», 
 
 V C! VSpit zl? e¥'c en 
 
 -5;^ 
 
 j^>-j- 
 
 I C ' O C E A !^^.^'°^.^MV 
 
 Tlir rftiions nil^titi lihirii revo2yinp or nhirhximt 
 '"Sv,,,^ .s-taiin.i havrT)rr,i a^mfaniedtopivvml 
 
 '/#')regi-»1^>o'f the south ~^~A^SfC~T^R ADTWpTD^ 
 
 E OF VARIABLE "S & t i*-S 
 
 
 
VARIABLE WINDS. 123 
 
 388. Daily experience teaches us the unequal force of the 
 wind, exhibiting every conceivable variety, from the almost in- 
 sensible breeze, to the hurricane which prostrates the monarch 
 of. the forest. The following facts respecting the velocity and 
 force of winds have been ascertained : 
 
 Velocity of t'.ie Perpendicular force on 
 
 wiml in miles one square foot in pounds Characteristics. 
 
 per hour. avoirdupois. __^ 
 
 -1 -005 Hardly perceptible. 
 
 2 '020 Just perceptible. 
 
 _ 5 '123 Gentle, pleasant wind. — 
 
 -10 -492 Brisk gale. - 
 
 20 1-968 Very brisk. 
 
 30 4-429 High wind. 
 
 40 7-873 Very high wind. 
 
 -50 12-300 A storm. ~~. 
 
 60 17-715 A violent storm. 
 
 80 81-490 A hurricane. 
 
 _100 49-200 A violent hurricane. — 
 
 389. Winds may be divided into three classes, — Variable, Per- 
 manent, and Periodical. 
 
 390. Variable Winds. — Variable winds, as their name indi- 
 cates, are very irregular as to time, direction, and force, and 
 seldom continue to blow for many days. They prevail in the 
 Temperate and Frigid zones, those of the Torrid zone being, for 
 the most part, either permanent or periodical. 
 
 391. We are not fully acquainted with the causes which pro- 
 duce these partial and ever-fluctuating aerial currents, but there 
 is no doubt that they are mainly due to the unequal states of the 
 temperature of land and sea. Although these winds alternately 
 come from every point of the compass, changing frequently from 
 one point to the opposite in a very short space of time, it has 
 been observed that different seasons are characterized by winds 
 from different directions. Franklin long ago observed in North 
 America, that in summer the winds come from the south and in 
 winter from the north. 
 
 Questions. — 88S. What is said of the unequal force of the wind ? Describe the forpe, 
 and mention the cliaracteristic, of wind having a velocity of 1 mile per hour. 2 miles per 
 hour. 5 miles per hour. 10 miles per hour. 20 miles per hour. 80 miles per hour. 40 
 miles per hour. 50 miles per hour. 60 miles per hour. 80 miles per hour. 100 miles per 
 hour. 3S9. Into what three classes may winds be divide"a ? 390. What are variable 
 winds? Where do they prevail? 391. To what are they no doubt mainly due? What 
 has been observed respecting them ? What did Franklin observe? 
 
124 VARIABLE WINDS. 
 
 393. From numerous observations made in different parts of 
 Europe, the following laws have been established. In winter 
 the direction of the wind is principally from the north, its force 
 being greatest in January. In spring, east winds are common, 
 prevailing, at certain places, in March ; at others, in April. In 
 summer, especially in July, the winds blow chiefly from the 
 west. In autumn, particularly in October, the south winds pre- 
 vail. 
 
 393. Desi<jnatinff the total number of winds that blow in a 
 given time by 1000, the followmg Table shows their relative fre- 
 quency in the countries named : 
 
 Count, ies. N. N. E. E. S. E. S. S. W. W. N. W. 
 
 North America.. 96.. ..IIG.. .. 49.. ..108.. ..123.. ..197.. ..101.. ..210 
 
 England 82.... Ill ,... 99.... 81. . ..111.. ..225.. ..171.. ..120 
 
 France 126.. ..140.. .. 84.... 76.. ..117.. -.192.. ..155.. ..110 
 
 Germany 84.... 98.... 119.... 87.... 97.. ..185.. ..198.. ..131 
 
 Denmark 65.... 98.. ..100.. ..129.... 92.. ..198... .161... .156 
 
 Sweden ..102.. ..104.. .. 80.. .. 110. .. .128.. ..210.. ..159.... 106 
 
 Prussia 99.. ..191.. .. 81.. . .130. .. . 98. .. .143.. . .166:. ..192 
 
 394. There is a certain class of variable winds known to pos- 
 sess peculiar properties, such as the hot winds felt on the north- 
 era coast of Africa, in Persia, India, and China ; the cold winds 
 of Siberia; the pestilential simoom or samiel of Africa, Arabia, 
 and Mesopotamia, efc,' Winds partake of the property of the 
 regions from which they come ; thus, in Europe the west winds 
 which blow from the Atlantic are more moist than the east, 
 which sweep over the continent. On the Atlantic coast of the 
 United States, the winds which come from the northeast are 
 remarkable for their chilliness, and for the disagreeable storms 
 which accompany them. Variable winds may be subdivided into 
 cold and hot winds. 
 
 395. The cold winds of the north temperate zone are those 
 "which blow from the north and northeast. In Europe the north- 
 east winds are cold, deriving their character from the very low 
 temperature which prevails in northern Europe and Asia. In 
 
 Que.itio'nf:. — ."92. What is the general dirpction of the winds of Europe in winter? In 
 spring? JtisumnKT? Inautiiinn? -394. Wh;it is said of the properlies of ceriain winds? 
 Of the west winds in Europe ? Of the northeast winds on the Atlantic coast of tlie Uniti d 
 States? How may variable winds be subdivided?, 895. What is said of Ihe cold winds 
 of the norih temperate zone ? Of the northeast winds in Europe ? Of the north winds 
 iu the south of Europe 1 
 
THE SIMOOM, 125 
 
 the south of Europe the north winds are of great violence and 
 severity, owing to the contrast between the snow-covered Alps 
 and the elevated temperature of the Mediterranean. 
 
 396. The bora, a northeast wind, so called in Istria and Dalmatia, is 
 sometimes so furious as to overturn horses at plow. The mistral and the 
 vent de bise are winds which prevail in the southeast of France. The mis- 
 tral blows from the northwest, descending from the mountains of Central 
 France, and sweeping over the ancient provinces of Provence and Langue- 
 doc, where it is supposed to contribute greatly to the salubrity of the air, by 
 dispelling the exhalations from the marshes and stagnant waters common in 
 that region of extensive levels. It is very fearful in the Gulf of Lions ; 
 hence the name of that gulf, not derived, as commonly imagined, from the 
 city of Lyons, but from the lion-like violence of its tempests. The vent de 
 bise (black wind) is a cold, piercing current from the Alps and the mount- 
 ains of Auvergne, which chiefly follows the course of the Rhone, in the val- 
 
 .•y through which it runs, rendering the climate in winter very severe. In 
 "^pain, a north wind, called the gai/ego, is of a very formidable character. 
 
 397. Hot winds are very frequent in countries contiguous to 
 the tropical regions. Large deserts and plains, covered with little 
 vegetation, engender very warm winds ; these winds, which are 
 of a noxious character, prevail in the vast deserts of Asia and 
 Africa, where they show themselves in all their force. Nubia, 
 Arabia, Persia, and other parts of Asia, are visited by a burning 
 wind peculiar to the desert. In Arabia it is called samoum, from 
 the Arabic samma, which signifies hot and poisonous. It is also 
 named samiel, from samm, poison. In Egypt it is called cliam- 
 sin (fifty) because it blows for fifty days, from the end of April 
 until June, at the commencement of the inundation of the Nile. 
 In the western part of the Sahara it is named harmattan. 
 
 398. The Sainoum, or Simoom, as more commonly called, is an- 
 nounced by the troubled appearance of the horizon ; afterward, the 
 sky becomes obscured, and the sun loses its brilliancy, — paler 
 than the moon, its light no longer projects a shadow; the green 
 of the trees appears of a dirty blue ; the birds are restless ; and the 
 affrighted animals wander in all directions. The rapid evapora- 
 tion, occurring at the surface of the human body, dries the skin, 
 
 ^we^trow.s.— 896. What is said of the ?/o^)-«.? The mUtr alt The vent de hwet 897- 
 Where are hot winds very frequent? By what name is the burning wind called in Ara- 
 bla? By what othername is i! known? What is it called in Ef^ypt, and why 7 In the 
 ■western part of Sahara 1 398. How is the simoom announced? How does it affect the 
 bum?n hodv? 
 
126 
 
 THE SIMOOM. 
 
 inflames the throat, accelerates respiration, and causes a /iolent 
 thirst. 
 
 399. This hot -wind is deleterious in its mildest forms, occasionally de- 
 structive, and many a pilgrim to the shrine of the prophet at Mecca, and 
 merchant to the marts of Bagdad, have perished by its noxious, sufFocatinw 
 influence. Bruce suffered from it when ascending the Nile, he and his com- 
 pany becoming so enervated as to be incapable of pitching their tents, op- 
 pressed as well by an intolerable headache. " The poisonous simoom," he 
 remarks, when at Chendi, " blew as if it came from an oven ; our eyes were 
 dim, our lips cracked, our knees tottering, our throats perfectly dry ; and 
 no relief was found from drinking an immoderate quantity of water. 
 
 400. " In June, 1813," gays £uckhardt, " in going from Siout to Esne, I 
 was surprised by the simoojiin the plain which separates Furschiout from 
 Berdys. When the wad arose I was alone, mounted on my dromedary, and 
 at a distance from jT3ry tree and habitation. I enueavored to protect my 
 face by wrapping ^i ia a. handkerchief. Meanwhile, t/. dromedary, into 
 whose eyes the wind droye the sand, became restless, commGni^cd galloping. 
 
 Storm in the Desert. 
 
 and caused me to lose the stirrups. I remained lying on the earth^without 
 moving from the spot, for I could not see to a distance of ten metres, and I 
 wi-appcd myself up in my clothes until the wind had abated. I then went 
 iu search after my dromcdarj', which I found at a very great distance, lying 
 down near a busli which protected his head against the sand raised by the 
 wind." 
 
 Questions. — SCO. What fiirtlier is remarked respecthig this hot wind? How did 
 Bruce suficr from it ? What does he say of it? 400. Mention some of the particu. 
 lara related by Buckhardt. 
 
THE SIMOOM. 127 
 
 401. Volney gives the following complete account of the simoom and its 
 effects : " Travelers," he states, " have mentioned these winds under ihe 
 name of poisonous winds ; or, more correctly, hot winds of the desert. Such, 
 in fact, is their quality ; and their heat is sometimes so excessive that it is 
 difficult to form an idea of their violence without having experienced it ; 
 but it may be compared to the heat of a large oven at the moment of draw- 
 ing out the bread. When these winds begin to blow, the atmosphere assumes 
 an alarming aspect. The sky, at other times so clear in this climate, be- 
 comes dark and heavy ; the sun loses its splendor, and appears of a violet 
 color. The air is not cloudy, but gray and thick ; and is, in fact, filled with 
 an extremely subtile dust that penetrates everywhere. 
 
 402. " This wind, always liglit and rapid, is not at first extremely hot, 
 but it increases in heat in proportion as it continues. All animated bodies 
 80on discover it by tlie change it produces in them. The lungs, which a too 
 rarefied air no longer expands, are contracted and become painful. Respi- 
 ration is short and difiicult, the skin parched and dry, and the body con- 
 sumed by an internal heat. In vain is recourse had to large drafts of wa- 
 ter ; notliing can restore perspiration. In vain is coolness sought for ; all 
 bodies in which it is usual to find it deceive the hand that touches them. 
 Marble, iron, water, notwitlistanding the sun no longer appears, are hot. 
 The streets are deserted, and the dead silence of night reigns everywhere. 
 Tlie inhabitants of towns and villages shut themselves up in their houses — 
 and those of the deserts in their tents, or in pits they dig in the earth — 
 where they wait the termination of this destructive heat. 
 
 403. " It usually lasts three days, but if it exceeds that time it becomes 
 insupportable. Woe to the traveler whom this wind surprises remote from 
 shelter ! he must suffer all its dreadful consequences, which sometimes are 
 mortal. The danger is most imminent when it blows in squalls, for then the 
 rapidity of the wind increases the heat to such a degree as to cause sudden 
 death. Tliis death is a real suSbcation; the lungs, being empty, are con- 
 vulsed ; the circulation disordered, and the whole mass of blood, driven by 
 the heat toward the head and breast; whence that hemorrhage at the nose 
 and mouth which happens after death. 
 
 404. " This wind is especially fatal to persons of a plethoric habit, and 
 those in whom fatigue has destroyed the tone of the muscles and vessels. 
 The corpse remains a long time warm, swells, turns blue, and is easily sep- 
 arated ; all of which are signs of that putrid fermentation which takes 
 place when the humors become stagnant. These accidents are to be avoided 
 hj stopping the nose and mouth with handkerchiefs ; an efficacious method 
 is also that practiced by the camels which bury their noses in the sand, and 
 keep them there till the squall is over. 
 
 <i'iestion.s. — 401. "What does Volney say respecting these winds ? To vhat does he com- 
 pare their heat? What is the aspect of the atmosphere during the continuance of the 
 simoom ? 402. What changes does it produce on all animate bodies ? 403. How long does 
 it usually last ? When is the danger most imminent ? 404. To whom is the wind esjie 
 eiallv fata' ? 
 
128 HABMATTAN, SIEOCCO. 
 
 405. " Another quality of this wind is its extreme aridity, which is such, 
 that water sprinkled upon the floor evaporates in a few minutes. By this 
 extreme dryness it withers and strips all the plants, and by exhaling too 
 suddenly the emanations from animal bodies, crisps the skin, closes the 
 pores, and causes that feverish heat which is the invariable effect of sup- 
 pressed perspiration." 
 
 406. The Harmattan blows from the northeast, over Sene- 
 gambia and Guinea, to that part of the coast of Africa lying be- 
 tween Cape Verde, in 15° north latitude, to Cape Lopez in 1<^ 
 south latitude, a coast line of upward of two thousand miles. It 
 occurs during December, January, and February, generally three 
 or four times during that season. It comes on at any hour of 
 the day, at any time of the tide, or at any period of the moon, 
 continuing sometimes only a day or two, at other times five or 
 six days, and it has been known to last upward of a fortnight. 
 
 407. Extreme dryness is the property of this wind ; — all veg- 
 etation droops and withers, and should the harmattan blow for 
 several days, the leaves of the lemon, orange, and lime-trees 
 become so parched that they may be readily nibbed into dust. 
 Even household furniture cracks, and in many instances flies to 
 pieces. Though this wind is so pernicious in its effects upon 
 vegetable life, yet it is conducive to the heallh of tlie human 
 species, by removing dampness from the atmosphere, and coun- 
 teracting its effects after a long rainy season. 
 
 408. The Sirocco is a hot southeast wind, prevailing in the 
 Mediterranean, in Italy and Sicily, but felt most violently in the 
 country around Naples, and at Palermo. It sometimes com- 
 mences about the time of the summer solstice, but blows occa- 
 sionally with great force in the month of July. Though usually 
 attributed to the Sahara, it is supposed by some to arise on the 
 arid rocks of Sicily ; and hence is far more violent on the north 
 than on the south coast of the island, about Palermo, and also in 
 the neighborhood of Naples. 
 
 409. It is thus described by a traveler during his stay at Palermo : 
 
 " On Sunday, July 8th, we had the long-expected sirocco wind, which, 
 although our expectations had been raised pretty high, yet I own greatly 
 
 Questions. — 405. "What other quality does this wind possess? Give particulars. 406. 
 Describe the Harmattan. When does it occur? What is said of its irregularity, etc.? 
 407. What is the property of this wind ? What are its effects on bo(Jies ? On (he human 
 species? 40S. What is the Sirocco? When does it blow ? Its supposed origin ? 
 
SALANO. 129 
 
 exceeded them. Friday and Saturday were unconimonly cool, the merciavy 
 never being higher than 72i° : and although the Sirocco is said to have set 
 in early on Sunday morning, the air in our apartments, which are very 
 large, with high ceilings, was not in the least affected by it at eight o'clock, 
 when I rose. I opened the door without having any suspicion of such a 
 change ; and indeed I never was more astonished in my life. Tlie first blust 
 of it on my face felt like tlie burning steam from the mouth of an oven. I 
 drew back my head and shut the door, calling out to FuUartcn that the 
 whole atmosphere was in a flame. However, we ventured to open another 
 door that leads to a cool platform, where we usually walk ; this was not ex- 
 posed to the wind ; and here I found the heat much more supportable than 
 I could have expected from the first specimen I had of it at the other door. 
 It felt somewhat like the subterraneous sweating- stoves at Naples, but still 
 much hotter. In a few minutes we found every iiber greatly relaxed, and 
 the pores opened to such a degree, that we expected soon to be thrown into 
 a profuse sweat. 
 
 410. " I went to examine the thermometer, and found the air in the room 
 as yet so little affected that it stood only at 73°. The preceding night it 
 was at 72 5°. I took it out to the open air, when it immediately rose to 110°, 
 and soon after to 112°; and I am confident that in our old lodgings, or any- 
 where within the city, it must have risen several degrees higher. The air 
 was thick and heavy, but the barometer was little affected : it had ftillen 
 only about a line. The sun did not once appear the whole day, otherwise I 
 am persuaded the heat must have been insupportable ; on that side of our 
 platform which is exposed to the wind, it was with difSculty we could bear 
 it for a few minutes. Here I exposed a little pomatum, which was melted 
 down as if I had laid it before the fire. I attempted to take a walk in the 
 street, to see if any creature was stirring, but I found it too much for me, 
 and was glad to get up stairs again. This extraordinary heat continued till 
 three o'clock in the afternoon, when the wind changed at once, almost to 
 the opposite point of the compass. All nature languishes under the influ- 
 ence of this wind; vegetation droops and withers; the Italians suffering 
 from it not less than strangers. When any feeble literary production ap- 
 pears, the strongest phrase of disapprobation they can bestow is, " It was 
 written in the time of the sirocco." 
 
 411. The deserts of Asia and Africa are the regions in which 
 the hot or burning winds- prevail ; but in Spain, the Solano, a 
 wind which is supposed to arise on the plains of Andalusia, 
 throws the majority of individuals into a condition of peculiar 
 languor. In India, which is covered with a rich vegetation, and 
 in Chile, in Louisiana, and in the great level plains [Llanos) 
 of the Orinoco, there are certain local winds of a very elevated 
 temperature. 
 
 Questions. — 411. What is .«aid of the dcserla of Asia and Africa 1 Of the Salano ? Where 
 io other very warm winds prevail ? 
 
130 
 
 TEADE-WINDS, 
 
 LESSON IV. 
 
 PERMANENT WINDS. 
 
 412. The Trade-winds are those permanent breezes which 
 prevail within the tropics, and which maintain nearly the same, 
 direction and rate throughout the year. Their direction is from 
 the northeast in the northern hemisphere, and from the southeast 
 souih of the line ; but it is more decidedly from the east as the 
 equator is approached. They extend generally from about 28=" 
 to 30=3 on each side of the equator, but their limits vary consid- 
 erably as the sun is north or south of the equator ; their external 
 and internal boundaries are also very different in the Atlantic 
 and Indian oceans. It is only over the wide ocean that the 
 tr-'Mle-winds can blow uninterruptedly. Between them is a zone 
 
 A Calm, at Sea. 
 
 styled the Region of Calms, in which thick, foggy air prevails, 
 Avith frequent, sudden, and copious rains, attended with thunder 
 and lightning. 
 
 413. The trade-winds may be thus explained. The regions 
 bordering on the equator are the hottest on the earth. In con- 
 sequence of rarefaction, the air there ascends and flows over the 
 colder masses on either side toward the poles, from which a 
 
 Questions. — 412. What are the trade-winds? What is their direction? Their limits? 
 What region lies between them ? 413. How may the trade-winds be explained ? 
 
TEADE-WINDS. 131 
 
 colder atmospliere moves to supply its place. Thus, are created, 
 in each hemisphere, two atmospheric currents, an upper and a 
 lower one, each flowing in an opposite direction. If the earth did 
 not rotate on its axis, the trade-wind, or lower current in the 
 northern hemisphere, would be from north to south ; and, in the 
 southern hemisphere, from souil- to north. The earth, however, 
 revolves from west to e&st, aE.<i the atmosphere surrounding it 
 partakes of this rotary motion ; he nee, these winds become north- 
 east and southeast. 
 
 414. The following is Lieuterjant Maury's theory concerning 
 the trade- winds and the laws by which they are governed : 
 
 " From the parallel of about 30° north and south, nearly to the equator, 
 we have two zenes of perpetual wiafis, viz. : the zone of northeast trades on 
 this side, and of southeast on that. They blow perpetually, and are as 
 steady and as constant as the currents of the Mississippi River — always 
 moving in the same direction. As these two currents of air are constantly 
 flowing from the poles toward the equator, we are safe in assuming that the 
 air which they keep in motion must return by some channel to the place 
 near the poles, whence it came in order to supply the trades. If this were 
 not so, these winds would soon exhaust the polar regions of atmosphere, and 
 pile it up about the equator, and then cease to blow for the want of air to 
 make more wind of. 
 
 415. " This return current, therefore, must be in the upper regions of 
 the atmosphere, at least until it passes over those parallels between which 
 the trade-winds are always blowing on the surface. The return current 
 must also move in the direction opposite the direction of that wind which 
 it is intended to supply. These direct and counter-cuiirents are also made 
 to move in a sort of spiral curve, turning to the west as they go from the 
 poles to the equator, and in the opposite direction as they move from the 
 equator toward the poles. 
 
 416. " This turning is caused by the rotation of the earth on its axis. 
 The earth, we know, moves from west to east. Now if we imagine a par- 
 ticle of atmosphere at the north pole, where it is at rest, to be put in motion 
 in a straight line toward the equator, we can easily see how this particle of 
 air, coming from the pole, where it did not partake of the diurnal motion 
 of the earth, would, in consequence of its vis inertue, find, as it travels 
 south, the earth slipping under it, as it were, and thus it would appear to 
 be coming from the northeast and going toward the southwest : in other 
 words, it would be a northeast wind. 
 
 QueMions. — 414. Where have we two zones of perpetual winds ? What are we tafe in 
 assniiiing? Why? 415. Where must this return current beV Which way do the direct 
 aad counter-currents turn ? 416. How is this turning caused ? Explain. 
 
132 
 
 TRADE-WINDS. 
 
 X 
 
 
 Diagram, of the Trade-winds. 
 
 417. " On the other hand, we can perceive hoTV a like particle of atmos- 
 phere that starts from the equator, to talie the place of the other at the 
 pole, would, as it travels north, in consequence of its vis inertia, be going 
 toward the east faster tlian the earth. It Avould, therefore, appear to be 
 blowln,;); from the southwest, and going toward the northeast, and exactly 
 in the opposite direction to the other. Writing south for north, the same 
 takes filace between the soutli pole and the equator. Now this is the pro- 
 cess which is actxially going on in Nature; and if we take the motions, of 
 these two particles as the type of the motion of all, we shall have an illus- 
 tration of the great currents in the air, the equator being near one of the 
 nodes,* and there being two systems of currents — an upper and an under — 
 between it and each pole. 
 
 418. " Let us return now to our northern particle, and follow it in a round- 
 
 Quentions. — 417. Explain the direction of the return current. 41S. Describe the course 
 of a particle of atmosphere proceeding from the polar regions toward the equator. "What 
 does it meet near the parallel of 30^ ? 
 
 • Nodes. Uie point where the asoending and descending currents cross each other. 
 
TKADE-WINDS. 133 
 
 from the north pole to the equator and back again, supposing it, for the 
 present, to turn back toward the pole after reaching the equator. Setting 
 off from the polar regions, this particle of air, for some reason, which does 
 not appear to have been satisfactorily explained by philosopliers, travels in 
 the upper regions of tlie atmosphere, until it gets near the parallel of 30°. 
 Here it meets, also in the clouds, the hypothetical particle that is going from 
 the equator to take its place toward the pole. 
 
 419. " About this parallel of 30°, then, these two particles meet, press 
 against each other Avith the whole amount of their motive power, produce a 
 calm and an accumulation of atmosphere sufficient to balance the pressure 
 from the two winds north and soutli. From under this bank of calms, two 
 surface currents of wind are ejected : one toward the equator, as the north- 
 east trades— the other toward the pole, as the southwest passage winds — 
 supposing that we are now considering what takes place in the northern 
 hemisphere only. 
 
 420. " These winds come out at the lower surface of the calm region, and 
 consequently the place of the air borne away in this manner must be sup- 
 plied, we may infer, by downward currents from the superincumbent air of 
 the calm region. Like the case of a vessel of water which has two streams 
 from opposite>4lirections running in at the top and two of equal capacity 
 discharging in opposite directions at the bottom — the motion of the water in 
 the vessel would be downward : so is the motion of air in this calm zone. 
 The barometer, in this calm region, is said by Humboldt and others to stand 
 higher than it does either to the north or to the south of it ; and this is 
 another proof as to the banking up here of the atmosphere and pressures 
 from its downward motion. 
 
 421. " Following our imaginary particle of air from the north across this 
 calm belt we now feel it moving on the surfxce of the earth as the north- 
 east trade- wind, and as such it continues till it arrives near the equator, 
 where it meets a like hypothetical particle, which has blown as the south- 
 east trade-wind. Here, at tliis equatorial place of meeting, there is another 
 conflict of winds, and another calm region, for a northeast and southeast 
 wind can not blow at the same time in the same place. The two particles 
 have been put in motion by the same power ; they meet with equal force, 
 and, therefore, at their place of meeting, are stopped in their course. Here, 
 therefore, there is also a calm belt. 
 
 422. " Warmed by the heat of the sun, and pressed on each side by the 
 ■whole force of the northeast and southeast trades, these two hypothetical 
 particles, taken as the type of the whole, ascend. This operation is the re- 
 
 QueHtions. — il9. "What results follow ? "What surface currents are here ejected ? 430. 
 From what part of the calm region do these winds come, and what consequently may be 
 inferred? Illustrate the downward motion of the air in this calm. zone. "What is another 
 proof of the bankiiig up here of the atmosphere and pressure from is? dowcwird m-jticn ? 
 421. "When does the particle of air move after leaving the calm belt? "What occurs at the 
 equatorial place of meeting ? 422. "Why does it here ascend 1 Describe its track in its 
 return to the pole. 
 
134: TEADE-WINDS. 
 
 verse of that which took place at the other meeting near the parallel of 30°. 
 This imaginary particle now returns to the upper regions of tlie atmosj)here 
 again, and travels there until it meets, near the calm belt of Cancer, its 
 fellow- particle from the north, where it descends as before, and continues 
 to flow toward the pole as a surface wind from southwest. Entering the 
 polar regions obliquely, it is pressed upon by similar currents coming from 
 every meridian ; here our imaginary particle approaches the higher par- 
 allels more and more obliquely, until it, with all the rest, is whirled about 
 the pole in a continued circular gale : finally reaching the vortex, it is car- 
 ried upward to the regions of atmosphere above, whence it commences again 
 its circuit to the south as an upper current. 
 
 423. " Now the course we have imagined an atom of air to take is this : an 
 ascent at P, at the north pole ; an efflux thence as an upper current, until 
 it meets G (also an upper current), over the calms of Cancer. Here there is 
 supposed to be a descent, as shown by the arrows along the wavy lines which 
 envelop the circle. This upper current from the pole now becomes the north- 
 east trade wind B, on the surface ; it rises up at the equator, and returns 
 thence — we will suppose for the present only — back toward the north pole, 
 as G, until it reaches the calms of Cancer, where it descends and is felt ou 
 the surface as H, the southwest passage wind ; and so the circuit is com- 
 \loted for the northern hemisphere." 
 
 424. Nothing excited the wonder of the early navigators as much as the 
 east wind wliich blows regularly within the tropics. The companions of 
 Columbus were terrified when they found themselves driven on by continu- 
 ous east winds, which seemed to forewarn them that tliey would never return 
 to their country. Fortunately for the fame of the great navigator, and for 
 tiie world, he fii-mly held on his course, and made the discovery of a new 
 continent. 
 
 425. The trade-winds serve important uses to navigators, in facilitating 
 the passage of ships round the Avorld. In passing from the Canaries to Cu- 
 mana, on tlie north coast of South America, it is scarcely ever necessary to 
 touuli the sails of a ship ; and with equal facility a passage is made across 
 the Pacific, from Acapulco, on the west coast of Mexico, to the Philippine 
 Islands. The customary route of vessels on their outward voyage from New 
 York to Canton is by the way of Cape Horn, and thence westwardly through 
 the Pacific : the return voyage is by the way of the Cape of Good Hope. If 
 a ciiannel were cut through the Isthmus of Panama, the voyage to China 
 would be more speedy, agreeable, and safe than the usual route by Cape 
 Horn. 
 
 420. All mariners and passengers have spoken with delight of the region 
 of the trade-winds. It is noted for the favoring gales, the transparent at- 
 mosphere, the splendid sunsets, and the brilliancy of the unclouded heavens, 
 
 Questions. — 423. Illustrate the course an atom of atmosphere is imagined to take. 424. 
 Woniler of the early navigators ? The companions of Columbus ? 425. Uses of the trade- 
 vinds? Illustrate. Route of an outward and return voyage from New York to Canton? 
 426. For what is the region of the trade-winds noted? 
 
MONSOONS. 135 
 
 d<ay and night. Columbus, in recording his first voyage into their territory, 
 compares the air, soft and refreshing without being cool, to that of the pure 
 and balmy April mornings he had experienced in Andalusia. Humboldt, in 
 describing the tropical regions, remarks upon the mildness of the climate 
 and the beauty of the southern sky. He observed stars seen from infancy 
 progressively sinking and finally disappearing below the horizon, an un- 
 known firmament unfolding its aspect, and scattered nebulae rivaling in 
 splendor the milky way. The Spaniards gave to the zone in which the trade- 
 winds are constant the title el Golpo de las Damas, the Sea of the Ladies, 
 on account of the ease with which it may be navigated, the uniform tem- 
 perature prevalent night and day, and its pacific aspect. 
 
 LESSON V. 
 
 PERIODICAL WINDS. 
 
 427. Periodicai, winds are those which regularly prevail at 
 a certain time of the year or of the day. The monsoons of the 
 Indian Ocean, the Etesian winds of the Mediterranean, and the 
 land and sea breezes, are of this class. 
 
 428. Monsoons, from the Malay word moussin, signifying " a 
 season," are regular periodical winds which sweep over the In- 
 dian Ocean and the whole of Hindoostan, changing their direc- 
 tion after an interval of about six months, as the sun moves into 
 the northern or southern hemispheres ; hence the term season 
 winds, or monsoons. These 'winds are a modification of the 
 trade-winds, occasioned by the position of the sun in different 
 seasons, the openings in the chain of islands separating the In- 
 dian Ocean from the Pacific, the interposition of the Asiatic 
 continent, and the rarefied atmosphere of Africa and Australia. 
 
 429. From 3° south of the equator to the northern shores of 
 the Indian Ocean, including the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, 
 and the Chinese Sea, a southwest wind prevails from April to 
 October, and then a northeast wind sets in, and ,prevails through 
 the next half year, from October to April. While the wind north 
 
 Questions. — 427. What are periodical winds ? Name those which belong to this class. 
 42S. What are monsoons ? From what is the term derived '! What is said of these winds? 
 429. What are the limits of the region having a southwest wind from April to October? 
 AVhat wind prevails in this region from October to April ? Describe the winds which pre- 
 vail at different seasons between 3° and 10° south of the line. 
 
186 MONSOONS. 
 
 of the equator is southwest, a southeast wiad prevails between 
 3° and 10^ south of the line ; and when the wind north of the 
 equator is northeast, that south of it is northwest. 
 
 430. The western boundary of the region of the monsoons is 
 the African shore ; its eastern limit is supposed to be about the 
 meridian of 130° east longitude ; its northern confine is near the 
 parallel of 27° north latitude ; ils southern extremity has been 
 already stated. The monsoons are much stronger than the trade- 
 winds, and may be called gales ; they sometimes blow with such 
 violence that ships are obliged to reef their sails. They are not 
 confined to the ocean, but extend over the whole of Hindoostan 
 to the Himalaya Mountains. 
 
 431. Mr. Cauuter, a resident at Madras, gives the following interesting 
 account of a storm which occurred there during the shifting of these winds : 
 
 " On the 15th of October, the flag-staif was struck, as a signal for all ves- 
 sels to leave the roads, lest they should be overtaken by the monsoon. On 
 that very morning some premonitory symptoms of the agproaching war of 
 elements had appeared. As the house we occupied ove^reoked the beach, 
 we could behold the setting in of the monsoon in all its-ta;tnd and terrific 
 sublimity. The wind, with a force which nothing cojira resist, bent the 
 tufted heads of the tall, slim, cocoa-nut trees almosrto the earth, flinging 
 the light sand into the air in eddying vortices, until the rain had either so 
 increased its gravity or beaten it into a mass, as to prevent the wind from 
 raising it. 
 
 432. " The pale lightning streamed from the clouds in broad sheets of 
 flame, which appeared to encircle the heavens as if every element had been 
 converted into fire, and the world w.as on the eve of a general conflagration ; 
 whilst the peal, which instantly followed, was like the explosion of a gun- 
 powder magazine. The heavens seemed to be one vast reservoir of flame, 
 which was propelled from its voluminous bed by some invisible but omnip- 
 otent agency, and threatened to fling its fiery ruin upon every thing around. 
 In some parts, however, of the pitchy vapor, by which the skies were by 
 this time completely overspread, the lightning was seen only occasionally to 
 glimmer in faint streaks of light, as if struggling, but unable, to escape from 
 its prison, — igniting, but too weak to burst, the impervious bosoms of those 
 capacious magazines in which it was at once engendered and pent up. 
 
 433. " So heavy and continuous was the rain, that scarcely any thing save 
 those vivid bursts of light, which nothing could arrest or resist, was per- 
 ceptible through it. The thunder was so painfully loud, that it frequently 
 caused the ear to throb ; it seemed as if mines were momentarily springing 
 
 Questions. — 480. What is the western boundary of the region of monaoons ? Its eastern 
 limit? lis northern? Itssouihem? Intensity of the mansions ? 
 
ETESIAN WINDS, ETC. 137 
 
 in the heavens, and I could almost fancy that one of the sublimest fictions 
 of heathen fable was realized at this moment before me, and that I -vVus 
 hearing an assault of the Titans. The surf was raised by the wind and 
 scattered in thin billows of foam over the esplanade, which was completely 
 powdered with the white, feathery spray. It extended several hundred 
 yards from the beach; fish, upward of three inches long, were found upon 
 the flat roofs of houses in the town during the prevalence of the monsoon, 
 either blown from the sea by the violence of the gales, or taken up in the 
 water-spouts, which are very prevalent in this tempestuous season. 
 
 434. " When these burst, whatever they contain is frequently borne by 
 the sweeping blast to a considerable distance over-land, and deposited in 
 the most uncongenial situations : so that now, during the violence of these 
 tropical storms, fish are found alive on the tops of houses ; nor is this any 
 longer a matter of surprise to the established resident in India, who sees 
 every year a repetition of this singular phenomenon. During the extreme 
 violence of the storm, the heat was occasionally almost beyond endurance, 
 particularly after the first day or two, when the wind would at intervals 
 entirely subside, so that not a breath of air could be felt, and the punlia 
 afforded but a partial relief to that distressing sensation which is caused by 
 the oppressive stillness of the air so viell known in India." 
 
 435. The monsoons are of great assistance to commerce ; by 
 them a ship is frequently wafted to a distant port, and aided in 
 returning by a monsoon blowing in an opposite direction to that 
 which carried her out. 
 
 436. The Etesian* winds are periodical winds which blow 
 from the northeast for about six weeks throughout the Mediter- 
 ranean, particularly the Levant, where they commence toward 
 the middle of July, about nine in the morning, and continue only 
 throughout the day. The immense desert of Sahara, south of 
 the Mediterranean, deprived of water, and composed of sand and 
 flints, becomes very highly heated under the influence of an al- 
 most vertical sun, and currents are created from the colder atmos- 
 phere of the north. Hence the passage from Europe to Africa is 
 much quicker in summer than in autumn. Periodical currents, 
 called nortes, or north-winds, blow in the Gulf of Mexico from 
 September till March. They also occur on the Brazil coast, blow- 
 ing from the N. E. in sprmg, and from the S. E. in autumn. 
 
 437. Land and sea breezes are supposed to be caused by the 
 
 Qtietiiums.—4Z6. Uses v.f monsoons ? 436. What are the Etesian -winds ? Explain how 
 tliey are caused. Wlun and where do Ihe nortes blow? 437. How are land and sea 
 breezes supposed to be caused 1 Describe them. 
 
 * "Etos, a year, a season. 
 
138 THE ZONE OF CALMS. 
 
 unequal heating of the land and sea. On the coasts and islands 
 within the tropics, a breeze from the sea daily occurs about nine 
 o'clock in the morning, at first blowing gently toward the shore, 
 but gradually increasing in force till the middle of the day, when 
 it becomes a brisk gale ; after two or three o'clock it begins to 
 subside, and is succeeded at evening by a breeze from the land, 
 which blows freshly from off the coast during the night, and dies 
 away in the morning when the sea-breeze commences. 
 
 438. These breezes are particularly strong along the coast of 
 Malabar, where it is said that their influence is felt 60 miles 
 from land. They are also very perceptible in the Mediterranean 
 and in the East and West India Islands. The regular inland 
 breezes experienced in the morning and evening, in some situa- 
 tions, are produced by changes in the density of the atmosphere, 
 affected by the radiating properties of neighboring snow-clad 
 mountains, marshes, or sandy deserts. 
 
 439. The Zone of Calms, see Map EI., has a general width of about 6°. 
 Varying with the seasons, however, it, at times, assumes a width of from 9° 
 to 10°. It is frequently interrupted by violent storms. " When a vessel, 
 on ite voyage to the south, approaches the equator, in the midst of the Atlantic 
 Ocean, anxious fear seizes the crew. Sooner or later, according to the time 
 of year, the favoring wind which had brought them thus far, becomes weaker 
 and weaker ; at first, it ceases for a little while ; and, at last, drops entirely. 
 Around extends the sea, an endless glassy surface. The ship, hitherto speed- 
 ing onward with a bird-like flight, lies bound on the crystal fluid. The rays of 
 the sun, falling perpendicularly, glow through and through the narrow space 
 in which the men are inclosed. The heated deck burns through the soles of 
 the shoes. A stifling vapor fills the cabins. A fortnight has the ruler of the 
 sea lain immovable in the same spot. The store of water is exhausted. Glow- 
 ing thirst glues the parched tongue to the palate. Each man looks upon hia 
 companion in suffering, with the wild, murderous glance of despair. 
 
 440. " The sun sinks below the horizon, the evening sky is illumined by a 
 i^GCuliar coppery redness ; and with the advancing night, arises a black wall 
 to the eastward ; a low, shrill pipe resounds from the distance, from whence 
 a streak of foam advances over the black ocean. The ship sways and rocks 
 upon the irregular waves, but the sail still hangs against the mast, flapping 
 dismally upon the spars. Suddenly the storm bursts over with frightful 
 roar ; with a shriek the sails are torn asunder, and fly in ribbons ! A loud 
 crack ! a second, and the mainmast goes overboard ! By a violent effort the 
 crew succeed in cutting through the remaining ropes, and the ship now flies 
 
 Questions. — 438. Where do these breezes prevail? How are regular inland breezes 
 produced ? 439. How wide is the Zone of Calms ? 
 
HUKKICANES. 139 
 
 over the ocean — now borne high upon the backs of the -waves — now hurled 
 down into the depths ; so that every seam cracks and groans as thougn it 
 would part asunder. The thunder rolls unceasingly ; continuous lightning 
 darts through the agitated atmosphere ; the rain falls in streams instead of 
 drops. Ten times the sailors give themselves up for lost, when the quaking 
 bark falls into the trough of the sea, and as many times does it rise over 
 the waves again. 
 
 441. " At last the storm lulls ; single shocks follow, always at longer in- 
 tervals ; the waves become smoother, and when the consoling sun rises in 
 the east, it illuminates the same dreary picture as on the former day. Mir- 
 ror-like the endless surface again expands, and in eight days is the store of 
 collected Avater exhausted ; and again the silent specters creep about and 
 turn murderous looks upon each other. A new storm, and a new calm, and 
 so in frightful alternation, until at last the ship is driven into the region of 
 the peaceful trade-wind on the other side of the equator. Hundreds of 
 ships have gone down in storms here ; hundreds lost their crews by the most 
 frightful of deaths, — that of thirst ; and those who have passed the fearful 
 region of calms, turn in earnest worship to Heaven with thanks for their 
 new- won life."* 
 
 LESSON VI. 
 
 HURRICANES. 
 
 442. The terms hurricane, whirlwind, water-spout, land-spout, 
 sand-pillar, tornado, white squall, pampero, etc., have been ap- 
 plied to rotary movements of the atmosphere in different parts 
 of the world. 
 
 443. Hurricanes are revolving storms which occur in the West 
 Indies and in the Indian Ocean. Of a similar kind are the ty- 
 phoons in the Chinese Seas. These gyrating movements oc- 
 cupy a space from 50 to 500 miles m diameter. They revolve 
 the more rapidly the nearer the center, up to a certain distance, 
 within which there is a calm. ■ 
 
 444. The center of rotation advances steadily along a definite 
 line upon the globe, with a velocity varying from 2 to 30 or 40 
 
 Questionf!. — 412. What terras have been applied to the rotary movements of the atmos- 
 phere? 443. What are hurricanes ? What space do these circulatina; movements occu]i)'? 
 AVhi re do they revolve the more rapidly? 444. What is the velocity of the center of rota- 
 tion ? What is a remarliable fact ? What is the rotation of the storms in the northern 
 hemisphere ? In the southern hemisphere ? 
 
 * Schleiden's " Lecture about the Weather." 
 
140 MOISTUKE. 
 
 miles per hour. It is a remarkable fact, that in the same hemi- 
 sphere these whirling storms always revolve the same way, but 
 ^that this direction is opposite in opposite hemispheres. In the 
 northern hemisphere their rotation is retrograde, or in a direction 
 opposite the hands of a watch. In the southern hemisphere 
 their rotation is direct, conformable to the hands of a watch. 
 
 445. There are three well-known hurricane regions — the 
 West Indies, the Indian Ocean, and the Chinese Sea. The gen- 
 eral course of the West Indian hurricanes is from the Leeward 
 Islands N. W., passing around the shores of the Gulf of Mexico 
 or across it, then following the Gulf Stream and terminating in 
 the Atlantic, or exhausting their fury in the United States. From 
 Oct. 3, 1780, to Aug 25, 1837, inclusive, 38 hurricanes occurred 
 m this region, in the following months : in June, 1 ; July, 4 ; 
 August, 13; September, 10; October, 8; exclusive of 2, the 
 months of which lune not been recorded. Thus they are very 
 rare in June, and most frequent in August. The only instance 
 in June occurred in 1831, when Trinidad, Tobago, and Granada 
 were devastated, before supposed to be exempt from hurricanes. 
 
 446. The hurricanes of the Indian Ocean come from the N. E., 
 near Sumatra and Java, and travel to the S. W. toward Rodri- 
 guez and the Mauritius. They occur chiefly from December to 
 April, the hot season in that hemisphere ; are very rare in No- 
 vember and May, and are quite unknown during the other months 
 of the year. 
 
 447. In the Chinese Sea, hurricanes, there styled typhoons, 
 range from 10^ to 30^ N. They occur from June to November, 
 after an interval of three or four years. 
 
 LESSON VII. 
 
 MOISTURE. 
 
 448. If we place a A'essel of w^ater in the open air on a warm 
 day, the quantity of the fluid will soon be sensibly diminished, 
 
 Quefitions. — 445. Which are the three well-known hurricane regions? What is the 
 general course of Ihe West Iiidi;in hurricanes? When are hurricnnis in this reition most 
 rare, and when most frequent? 446. Describe the hurricanes of ihe Indian Ocean. When 
 do they chiefly occur? 447. What is said of the typhoons? When and how often do they 
 occur? 44S. What will happen if we place a vessel of water in the open air on a >viirm 
 day ? Where does evaporation transpire on a grand scale ? 
 
MOISTUKE. 141 
 
 being evaporated, or converted by the action of heat into invisible 
 vapor, and diffused through the air. In like manner, evaporation 
 proceeds on a grand scale from the oceans, lakes, and rivers, and 
 from the moist ground. It is subject to diurnal and annual vari- 
 ations. 
 
 449. The quantity of vapor in the air is least just before sun- 
 rise. Evaporation increases with the rise of atmospheric tem- 
 perature, or, other things being equal, with the ascent of the sun. 
 Hence, more vapor is generated during the day than during the 
 night ; and yet, the greatest degree of dryness in the atmosphere 
 is felt during that portion of the day, when evaporation is 
 going on most rapidly. This is attributable to the influence of 
 solar heat in expanding, and thereby increasing, the capacity of 
 the atmosphere to receive and retain moisture. In January, the 
 quantity of vapor is at its minimum. It increases, from thence, 
 till July, when it attains its maximum ; and then decreases to the 
 end of the year. 
 
 450. Moisture in the atmosphere is essential to the life of 
 animals and plants. The quantity of vapor in the atmosphere, 
 as the direct result of the action of solar heat on water, diminishes 
 as we recede from the equator toward the poles. It also decreases 
 as we pass from the coast regions to the interior of continents. 
 This rule finds confirmation in the comparative dryness of the 
 air in the interior of the United States, the middle of the plains 
 of the Orinoco, the steppes of Siberia, the deserts of Asia and 
 Africa, and the central parts of Australia. In the temperate 
 zones, the average annual evaporation is estimated at from 36 to 
 37 inches ; in the torrid zone, from 97 to 100 inches. 
 
 451. The air is capable of receiving a variable quantity of 
 vapor ; its capacity depending on its temperature. According to 
 Professor Leslie, air at the freezing point i.s capable of holding 
 moisture equal to the 160th part of its own weight ; at the tem- 
 
 Questions. — 449. When is the quantity of vapor diffused through the air the least 
 ■When does cTaporation increase? When does the air feel dryest, and why? In wliat 
 month is the quantity of vapor at its minimum, and in what at its maximum ? 450. What 
 Is said of the moisture in the atmosphere? How does the quantity of vapor diminish ? 
 In what does this rule find confirmation ? Annual evaporation in the temperate zone ? 
 In the torrid zone ? 451. What is said of the capacity of air for receiving vapor ? Upon 
 ■what does it depend ? Give its capacity at different states of temperature. 
 
142 MISTS AND FOGS. 
 
 perature of 59°, the 80th part ; at that of 86o, the 40th part ; at 
 1130, the 20th part; and at that of 140°, the 10th part. 
 
 452. When a volume of air contains as much aqueous vapor 
 as at its particular temperature it is capable of receiving, it is then 
 said to be at the point of saturation, being as humid as can be. 
 If the temperature then rises, it will be capable of receiving more, 
 but if it falls, some of the contained vapor will be rejected, and 
 become visible as mist. Thus the effect of a change of temper- 
 ature upon a saturated volume of air is analogous to that of the 
 hand relaxing or tightening its grasp on a piece of imbibing 
 sponge. 
 
 453. It has been frequently observed that the summits of some 
 mountains are constantly covered with clouds. The formation 
 of such clouds may be thus explained : The winds, laden with 
 vapor from lower and warmer districts, in passing over such 
 ranges are forced up into a colder region, where they are obliged 
 to part with a portion of the vapor, which thus forms a cloudy 
 state of the atmosphere. 
 
 454. Mists and fogs are formed when the air is saturated, and 
 generally when the moist soil, or the water of lakes and rivers 
 is warmer than the air, the vapors of which are immediately 
 condensed. In like manner the vapor of the air breathed from 
 our mouths in winter becomes condensed and visible. Mists 
 differ in no respect from clouds except in position, being on the 
 surface of the earth, instead of being suspended at a height in 
 the atmosphere. 
 
 455. The thick mists which prevail in the neighborhood of Newfoundland 
 arise from the warm waters of the Gulf Stream, which flow to that locality, 
 the temperature of which is much higher than that of the saturated air. 
 
 456. Soon after sunset, in calm and clear weather, mists are frequently 
 formed over the beds of lakes and rivers, while the adjacent land is free 
 from them. This arises from the land more rapidly losing its heat by radi- 
 ation than the lake or river. The air over the land necessarily becomes the 
 coldest ; and when the situation of the ground is such as to bring the cold 
 air of the land over the warmer water, a fog confined to its expanse ensues. 
 
 Questions.— 452. "When is a volume of air said to be at the point of saturation 1 453. 
 What has been frequently observed ? How may the formation of such clouds be explained ? 
 454. When are mists and fogs formed ? How do mists differ from clouds? 455. Origin of 
 the mists which prevail in the neighborhood of Newfoundland ? 456. Explain why mists 
 are frequently formed over the beds of lakes and rivers while the adjacent land is free 
 from them. 
 
CLOUDS. 113 
 
 457. Dew is formed by the gradual condensation of the vapors 
 of the atmosphere. In summer, when the heat of the sun has 
 filled the air with aqueous vapor, the earth, becoming, after sun- 
 set, gradually cooled by radiation under a clear sky, imparts its 
 lower temperature to those portions of the atmosphere in contact 
 with its surface, and thus diminishes their capacity for moisture 
 which is, in consequence, gradually and gently deposited in the 
 form of fluid drops, called dew. In some countries, dew supplies 
 the place of rain. In Palestine and other parts of western Asia, 
 where showers are unknown for several months in succession, the 
 dew formed at night, moistens the earth, and sustains the vegeta 
 tion ; being often so abundant as completely to saturate the tents, 
 baggage, and clothing of travelers exposed to it. 
 
 458. All substances have not the same capacity for radiating 
 heat, some cooling much more rapidly than others ; and, hence, we 
 frequently find certain bodies densely covered with dew, as grass 
 and leaves ; while the bare ground, metals, stones, and wood are 
 comparatively dry. A thermometer, laid on a grass plot during 
 a cloudless night, has been observed to indicate a temperature 
 16° lower than another laid, at the same time, on a gravel walk. 
 Hence, there must have been a much more copious deposition of 
 dew on the grass than on the walk, — the herbs needing the nour- 
 ishment, thus receiving it in preference to the bare soil — a striking 
 evidence of an all-wise Being operating in the economy of nature. 
 
 LESSON VIII. 
 
 459. Clouds are masses of visible vapor, floating in the atmos> 
 phere, at different distances from the surface of the earth. They 
 exhibit an endless diversity of outline, density, and color. The 
 dense clouds are usually formed toward noon, when the vapors 
 are carried up by the ascending currents of air, and condensed by 
 the cooler temperature of the upper regions. 
 
 Que«tiong. — 457. How is dew formed 1 Explain particularly the operation of its forma- 
 tion. What is said of the dews of Palestine and western Africa ? 45S. Why does dew col- 
 lect more on some bodies than on others 7 459. "What are clouds ? What is said of them ? 
 
144 
 
 CLOUDS 
 
 460. Clouds are sometimes composed of very fine particles of 
 congealed vapor. In winter, during periods of severe cold, we 
 often observe the ascending vapors to be composed of brilliant 
 needles which glisten in the sun, and resemble minute flakes of 
 snow. As there is no reason for supposing this appearance to be 
 confined to the lower strata of the atmosphere, we must infer the 
 existence of clouds of snow, as well as of aqueous vapor, in the 
 upper regions of the air. 
 
 1,1. Cirnis. 3. Cumulus. 5. Stratus. 2, 2. Cirro-Cumulus. 4. Nimbua 
 
 OwAtionn. — 460. Of wh.at fire elo«<ls coniDoscd ? What two kinds? 
 
CLOUDS. 145 
 
 461. Notwithstanding the varied aspect of clouds, they may- 
 be arranged in three principal classes — the cirrus, the cumulus, 
 and the stratus. 
 
 462. Cirrus — Curlcloud. Fig. 1.— The cirrus (the cafs-tail 
 of sailors) is composed of thin filaments, variously disposed, in 
 the form of woolly hair, a crest of feathers, or slender net-work. 
 The cirri appear in the higher regions of the atmosphere, and 
 are the most elevated of the clouds. Viewed from the summits 
 of high mountains, while the traveler looks down upon other 
 forms of clouds, he beholds these still above him, and apparently 
 at as great a distance as when seen from the plains. The ap- 
 pearance of the true cirrus, or curlcloud, is supposed to indicate 
 variable weather ; when most conspicuous and abundant, to pre- 
 sage high winds and rain ; and when the streaming fibers have 
 pointed in a particular direction for any length of time, the gale 
 may be expected to blow from that quarter. 
 
 463. Cumulus — Stackencloud. Fig. 3. — This form of cloud 
 {ball of cotton of sailors) occurs in the lower regions of the at- 
 mosphere, and is easily recognized. It is commonly under the 
 control of the surface winds, and frequently exhibits a very mag- 
 nificent appearance. It consists of a vast hemispherical or con- 
 ical heap of vapor rising gradually from an irregular horizontal 
 base and increasing upward. Hence the names, cumulus, a pile 
 or heap, and stackencloud, a number of detached clouds stacked 
 into one large and elevated pile. 
 
 464. Cumuli are indications of fine weather. They begin to 
 form soon after sunrise from irregular and scattered specks of 
 cloud ; as the morning advances the clouds enlarge ; and early 
 in the afternoon, when the temperature of the day is at its max- 
 imum, the cumulus attains its greatest magnitude. The cloud 
 decreases as the sun declines, and is usually broken up toward 
 sunset. The cumulus may be called the cloud of day, from thfr 
 interval between morning and evening generally measuring the 
 term of its existence. Its appearance considerably varies in the 
 detail, and often exhibits a Brilliant silvery light, and a copper 
 
 QuesUovK. — 461. Into what three principal classes ttiay clouds be arranged ? 462. De- 
 scribe ihe cirrUfi or ciirlclouil. What is said of the height of the cirri ? Whiit is the cirrus 
 supposi'fi to indicate? 463. Describe the cumulus or stackencloud. Of what does it con- 
 sist ? 464 What do cumuli indicate ? Describe their successive changes during the day. 
 
 7 
 
146 CLOUDS. 
 
 tinge, when in opposition to the sun, indicating a highly electrical 
 condition of the atmosphere. 
 
 465. Stratus — Falldoud. Fig. 5. — This cloud consists of 
 horizontal bands near the surface of the earth. It belongs to 
 the night, forming at sunset and disappearing at sunrise. This 
 class of clouds comprehends all those fogs and creeping mists 
 which sometimes spread like a mantle over the surface of the 
 valleys, plains, lakes, and rivers. 
 
 466. To the above primary varieties three transition or com- 
 posite forms are added. Cirrocumulus — Sondercloud. Fig. 2. 
 This name designates the feathery accumulated cloud, familiarly 
 known as fleecy, intermediate between cirrus and cumulus. It 
 consists of small patches, arranged in extensive beds, the com- 
 ponent parts being quite distinct or asunder. Cirrostratus — 
 Wanecloud and Cumulostratus — Tioaincloud (not represented in 
 the cut), are combinations, — the former of the cirrus and stratus, 
 and the latter of the cumulus and stratus. 
 
 467. Nimbus — Raincloud. Fig. 4. — Any of the preceding 
 modifications may pass over into the actual rainy clouds, first 
 exhibiting a great increase of density, and a bluish-black tone 
 of color, then putting on a lighter shade, or gray obscurity, and 
 becoming fringed at the edges. 
 
 468. Clouds are generally higher within the tropics than in 
 the temperate zones ; and in the temperate zones they are com- 
 monly higher in summer than in winter. The cirri are the high- 
 est clouds. They are supposed to range from 3 to 5 miles above 
 the level of the earth. Kaemtz states that during a stay of 
 eleven weeks within sight of the Finsteraarhorn, upward of 
 14,000 feet high, he never observed any cirri below the summit 
 of the mountain. It is highly probable that they consist of flakes 
 of snow. 
 
 Questions. — 465. Of what does the stratus or fallcloud consist? When does it prevail? 
 What does this class of clouds comprehend? 466. Describe the cirrocumulus or sonder- 
 cloud. What other composite forms are mentioned ? 467. Change to the nimbus or rain- 
 cloud? 468. What is the comparative height o» clouds in different sones and geaaons? 
 Height of the cirri ? What does KaemU state ? 
 
KAIN. 14.7 
 
 LESSON IX. 
 
 RAIN. 
 
 469. Rain is water, which, originally taken up into the at- 
 mosphere in the state of vapor, is returned to the earth in the 
 form of liquid drops. It is produced by the continued conden 
 sation of vapor. Rain may begin to fall, and yet not reach 
 the ground, being resolved into invisible vapor on arriving at 
 strata of air removed from the point of saturation. For the same 
 reason, rain-drops may become smaller in their descent, a por- 
 tion being evaporated, and less rain arrive at the earth's surface 
 than at a certain height above it. Usually the drops increase in 
 their fall, bringing with them the low temperature of the upper 
 regions. 
 
 470. The following are examples of very extraordinary showers : 
 
 1822 Oct. 25, at Genoa, 30 inches of rain fell in 24 hours. 
 
 1827 May 27, at Geneva, there fell 6 inches of rain in 3 hours. 
 
 1841 June 4, at Cuiseaux, a small town in the valley of the Saone, there 
 
 fell about 11 inches in 68 hours. 
 
 At Cayenne, Admiral Roussin collected 10 inches in 10 hours. 
 
 471. Raini is very unequally distributed over the regions of 
 the globe. 1. The average annual quantity of rain is the great- 
 est in tropical climates, and diminishes as we recede from the 
 equator to the poles. 2. It decreases as we pass from maritime 
 to inland countries, because the land supplies a less quantity of 
 vapor than the sea. 3. More rain falls in mountainous than in 
 low level districts, lofty heights arresting the clouds, and pro- 
 moting the condensation of vapor by their cold summits. 4. 
 The result of experiment shows that a greater amount of rain 
 falls while the sun is below than when above the horizon. 
 
 472. The diminution of the average annual quantity of rain from the 
 equator to the poles, appears from the following Table : 
 
 San Luis de Maranhao lat. 3° S. is equal to 276 inches. 
 
 Parimaribo, Guiana " 6° N. " 229 " 
 
 Questions. — 469. What is rain ? How produced ? 470. Gire examples of very extra- 
 ordinary showers. 471. What is said of the unequal distribution of rain ? Where is the 
 average annual quantity the greatest? Where does it decrease? What is observed of 
 mountainous districts ? What does the result of experiment show ? 472. What is the an- 
 nual quantity of rain in different places ? The annual quantity within the Tropics of the 
 Old World? Of the New World ? Average for the Tropics generally ? Annual quantity 
 In the Temperate Zones of the New World ? In the Temperate Zones of the Old World T 
 In the Temperate Zone generidly ? 
 
148 RATN« 
 
 Sierra Leone, Guinea " 9° N. is equal to 189 inches. 
 
 Island of Grenada, "West Indies. " 12° " 108 " 
 
 Havana, Cuba '« 23° " 90 " 
 
 Calcutta "22° " 81 " 
 
 Macao, China "22° " 68 " 
 
 Cliarleston, South Carolina "33° " 47 " 
 
 Rome, , "42° " 89 " 
 
 Edinburgh "55° " 24 " 
 
 St. Petersburg "60° " 17 
 
 Uleaborg, Finland "65° " 13 " 
 
 Annual quantity of Rain within the Tropics of the New World. 115 inches. 
 
 Annual quantity within the Tropics of the Old World 76 " 
 
 Average for the Tropics generally 95^ " 
 
 Annual quantity of Rain in the Temperate Zones of the New 
 
 World (United States) 37 inches. 
 
 In the Temperate Zones of the Old World (Europe) 31^ " 
 
 Temperate Zone generally 34| " 
 
 473. Although the amount of rain is greater within the tropics than in 
 the temperate zone, yet the number of rainy days is less, because two 
 seasons divide the year — wet and dry ; and during the dry season entire 
 months frequently pass away without a drop falling or a cloud being seen. 
 In the temperate zone also, in passing from south to north, the number of 
 rainy days increases, although the intensity of rain diminishes. 
 
 Annual number of rainy days in North of Syria 54 
 
 " " Straits of Gibraltar 68 
 
 " " " . Plains of Lombardy 90 
 
 " " " ^.'Buda, Hungary 112 
 
 " " " / Plains of Germany 141 
 
 " " " NvEngland and West France 152 
 
 " " " \Poland 158 
 
 " " " Kt. Petersburg ...169 
 
 «' " " Netherlands 170 
 
 " " East of Ireland 208 
 
 474. Countries situated in the vicinity of the sea receive, as we have re- 
 marlied, a larger amount of rain than those inland. This is exemplified in 
 the interior of the United States, of the llanos of the Orinoco, of the Si- 
 berian steppes, of Australia, and on comparing the amount of precipitation 
 in inland and maritime countries. It declines from an annual fall of be- 
 tween 30 and 85 inches on the shores of Great Britain and France to from 
 15 to 13 inches as the borders of Asia are approached. Mountains produce 
 
 Quef-tionx — 473. Where is the number of rainy dnys less Ihan in the temperate zone, and 
 ■why ? What is observed in passino; from south to north in the temperate zone ? State tlie 
 annual number of rainy days in different places. 474. What is said of countries situated 
 in the vicinity of the sea? How is this exemplified ? With what does the annual number 
 of rainy days decrease ? Illustrate, 
 
KAIN. 149 
 
 several exceptions to this rule. The annual number of rainy days decreases 
 
 also with the increased distance from the sea. 
 
 West coast of France - 152 days. 
 
 Interior of France , 147 " 
 
 Kasan, Plains of the Volga 80 " 
 
 Interior of Siberia 60 " 
 
 475. The annual fall of rain in mountainous districts, as compared with 
 that of low and level countries, is sometimes very striking. At Keswick— 
 a mountainous district in England — the annual average depth of lain is CtJ 
 inches, while on the sea-coast it is not half that amount. On the Great St. 
 Bernard it is 63 inches, and at Paris only 21. " The description of Judea 
 by the sacred writer, contrasting it with the flat lands of Egypt, though 
 not intended to be philosophic, is in harmony with the teachings of science 
 respecting the important part performed by mountains in the general econ- 
 omy of the earth : — ' For the land whither thou goest in to possess it, is not 
 as the land of Egypt, from whence ye came out; but the land whither ye 
 go to possess it, is a land of hills and valleys, and drinketh wator of the rain 
 of heaven.' By arresting the course of the clouds, and producing a con- 
 densation of aqueous vapor when a warm current of air lights upon their 
 cold summits, the elevations contribute to precipitate the moisture of the 
 atmosphere, often amid a terrible display of electric phenomena — a blaze 
 of fiery horrors, and the echo of heart-thrilling sounds."* 
 
 476. In some portions of the world rain is entirely unknown, 
 or occurs so soMcm as to be quite a phenomenon. The rainless 
 regions of the New World comprise portions of California and 
 Guatemala, the Mexican table-land, and the coast line of Peru. 
 Those of the Old World comprehend an immense territory, 
 stretching from Marocco, through the Sahara, a part of Egypt, 
 Arabia, and Persia, into Beloochistan, with another great zone, 
 commencing north of the Hindoo-Koosh and Himalayas, includ- 
 ing the table-land of Tibet, the desert of Gobi, and a portion of 
 Mongolia. 
 
 ) 477. The rains of most tropical countries are periodical, — 
 seasons of extreme humidity regularly alternating with those 
 of excessive drought. The length of time of the rainy season 
 differs in different districts, but lasts generally from three to five 
 
 Question n. — 175. What facts illustrate the fliffcrence between moiiiit:iinou3 districts and 
 low and level countries, with respect to the fill of rain ? What is remarked of the de- 
 scription of Judea l>y the sacred writer? 476. What do the rainless regions of the New 
 World comprise ? Whnt, those of the Old World ? 477. What is said of the riiins of most 
 tropical countries? Length of the rainy seasons? When do they commence at Panatna, 
 etc. ? Violence of these tropical showers ? 
 
 * Rev. Thomas Milner. 
 
150 
 
 SNOW. 
 
 months. The periodical rains commence in Panama, on the 
 west coast of America, in the early part of March ; in Africa 
 near the equator, and on the banks of the Orinoco, they begin in 
 April ; in the countries watered by the Senegal, and at San Bias, 
 in California, they begm in June. The violence of these tropical 
 showers may be inferred from the large annual amount of rain, 
 and from its fall being limited to a iew months, and to a few 
 hours during the day. The drops are enormous, very close to- 
 gether, and fall with such rapidity as to occasion a sensation of 
 pain if they strike against the skin. 
 
 478. In both continents the districts which have their periodical rains are 
 subject to an occasional intermission, and become rainless for considerable 
 intervals, the drought inflicting terrible suflfering on man and beast. Such 
 a period happened between the years 1827 and 1830 in the state of Buenos 
 Ayres, and is known by tlie name of the gran seco, or the great drought. 
 This interval Avas very destructive to animals. The loss of cattle in the 
 province of Buenos Ayres alone, was estimated at one million head. Cattle 
 in herds of thousands rushed into the Parana, and being exhausted by 
 hunger they were unable to crawl up the muddy banks, and thus were 
 drowned. 
 
 LESSON X. 
 
 SNOW AND HAIL. 
 
 479. Snow is nothing more than rain congealed before it falls 
 to the earlh. Snow-flakes exhibit forms of exquisite beauty, 
 regularity, and endless variety. These varied shapes are as- 
 sumed while the body passes from the liquid to the solid shape. 
 The tendency of water to crystalize, while in the process of con- 
 gelation, may be observed in winter on panes of glass. 
 
 480. A microscope applied to a flake of snow will unfold its 
 wonderful mode of structure. It is only in the polar regions 
 that snow assumes its most beautiful and varied forms. Captain 
 Scoresby has figured ninety-six different varieties, which he dis- 
 covered during his Arctic voyages, and which he distributed into 
 
 Qnentionx. — 478. To what are the rainless districts of both continents sutiject? Ex- 
 ample? Destruction of entile? 479. What is snow? What do snow-flakes exhibit? 
 Whrn are th<-se varied forms assumed? 480. In what region does snow assume its most 
 varied forms? How many varieties discovered by Captain Scoresby, and how distributed? 
 What does Kaemlz observe ? 
 
SNOW. 
 
 151 
 
 classes of lamellar,* spicular,t and pyramidal crystals, as shown 
 in the annexed representation. It will be seen that the annexed 
 forms are mostly hexagonal^ stars, and consequently snow-flakes 
 
 CflP ^ 
 
 "Various FoTms of Sno-w Crystals. 
 
 * Lamellar, composed of thin plates or scaies. t Spictji.ae, resembling a dart 
 i Hexagonal, having six sides and angles. 
 
152 HAIL. 
 
 belong to the hexagonal system of crystals. Kaemtz observes 
 that flakes which fall at the same time have generally the same 
 form ; but if there is an interval between two consecutive falls 
 of snow, the forms of the second are observed to differ from 
 tl'iose of the first, although always alike among themselves. 
 
 481. The limits of the fall of snow at the level of the sea, in 
 the northern hemisphere, are about the parallel of 30° in Amer- 
 ,ica, which cuts the southern part of the United States ; 43° in 
 the center of the North Atlantic ; and 36° in the Old World, the 
 latitude of Algiers. But for several degrees above these limits, 
 it is of rare appearance and brief continuance. 
 
 482. Snow performs an important part in the general economy 
 of nature. In winter it serves as a mantle to keep the ground 
 warm, and thus protect vegetation from being destroyed by the 
 frost, or by cold biting winds. Accumulated on elevated mount- 
 ain chains, it affords, by its thawing, a regular supply to rivers 
 and to the interior reservoirs of the earth, while in low latitudes 
 it tempers the heat of warm regions. 
 
 483. Hail appears to be partly the result of a very intense 
 degree of cold being rapidly produced in the atmosphere ; it is 
 supposed to be also somewhat dependent upon electricity, which 
 
 -is almost always pov/erfully developed during hail-storms. In 
 very high latitudes it is unknown, and it is also rare at the level 
 of the sea within the tropics. The icy particles which fall vary 
 in shape and size. True hail is an opaque mass, and has gen- 
 erally the form of a pear, or of a mushroom ; large hailstones 
 are surrounded by a thick coat of ice, and are composed of 
 alternate layers of snow and ice ; no one has ever seen hail- 
 stones formed entirely of transparent ice. 
 
 484. Many instances are ■well authenticated of hailstones having a cir- 
 cumference of from 6 to 9 inches, and a weight of from 12 to 14 otinces ; but 
 much larger masses are recorded. June 15, 1829, the hail heat in the roofs 
 of the houses at Cazorta, in Spain, — some of the hailstones weighing up- 
 wards of 4 lbs. avoirdupois. In Hungary, May 8, 1832, a block of ice fell, 
 
 Questimis. — 481. Limit of the fall of snow in America ? In the center of the North At- 
 lantic? In the Old World? 4S2. What are some of the uses of snow ? 4S3. Of what 
 does hail appear to be the result? Upon what is it supposed to be also somewhat depend- 
 ent? Where is it unknown and where rare? Appearance of true hail? 484. Size of 
 some hailstones observed ? Examples of destructive effects of hail? What is remarked 
 of these enormous masses ? 
 
CLIMATE. 
 
 153 
 
 about 39 inches in breadth and length, and 27 inches in depth. Mr. Dar- 
 ■win mentions a fall of hail in the state of Buenos Ayres which killed a laige 
 number of wild animals, ostriches, and smaller birds. These enormous 
 masses are either the fragments of a thick sheet of ice suddenly formed, and 
 broken in the atmosphere in falling, or are due to the union of a great num- 
 ber of hailstones in their descent. 
 
 8aow SLorro. 
 
 LESSON XI, 
 
 485. Climate, in its relation to animal and vegetable exist- 
 ence, constitutes one of the most interesting and important sub- 
 jects belonging to physical geography. The term, as it is com- 
 monly understood, denotes the temperature of the air in the va- 
 rious regions of the globe ; but taken in its more general sense, 
 it signifies all those states and changes of the atmosphere which 
 sensibly affect our organs, — temperature, humidity, variation of 
 atmospheric pressure, the purity of the atmosphere, or its admix- 
 ture with more or less deleterious exhalations, and lastly, the 
 degree of habitual transparency of the air and serenity of the 
 sky, which have an important influence on the feelings and the 
 whole mental disposition of man. 
 
 Questions. — 4S5. What is said of climate? What does the term climate commonly de- 
 note ? Taken in its more general sense, what does it signify ? 
 
 7* 
 
154 
 
 CLIMATE. 
 
 486. Climate is determined by a variety of causes, tte chief 
 of which are: 1. The latitude of a country; that is, its geo- 
 graphical position with reference to the equator. 2. Elevation 
 of the land above the sea-level. 3. The proximity to, or re- 
 moteness of a country from, the sea. 4. The slope of a country,' 
 or the aspect it presents to the sun's course. 5. The position 
 and direction of mountain chains. 6. The nature of the soil. 7. 
 The degree of cultivation and improvement at which the country 
 has arrived. 8. The prevalent winds. 9. The annual quantity 
 of rain that falls in a country. 
 
 487. (1) The latitude of a country, and the consequent direc- 
 tion in which the solar rays fall upon its surface, are the princi- 
 pal causes of the temperature to which it is subject. At the 
 equator, and within the tropics, the greatest heat is experienced, 
 because the sun is always vertical to some place within those 
 limits, and the solar action is more intense in proportion as the 
 rays are perpendicular to the earth. As we recede from the 
 equator, they fall more obliquely ; and because fewer of them are 
 spread over a larger space, they are less powerful, and conse- 
 quently less influential in promoting temperature. It has been 
 calculated that, out of 10,000 rays falling upon the earth's at- 
 mosphere, 8,123 arrive at a given point if they come perpen- 
 dicularly ; 7,024, if the angle of direction is 50° ; 2,821, if it is 
 7° ; and only 5 if the direction is horizontal. 
 
 488. The latitude of a place is therefore of the first import- 
 ance in determining its temperature ; since, at the same level 
 above the sea, a decrease of heat accompanies an increase of 
 latitude. This is true of countries lying between the tropics and 
 the poles, but it is not true of places situated between the tropics 
 and the equator. 
 
 489. " If the ecliptic, as shown on a terrestrial globe, be examined, it 
 ■will be seen that toward the northern and southern limits, for a consider- 
 able distance, it neither approaches nor recedes from the equator or the 
 
 Questions.— iS6. "What are the prhicipal causes which determine climate? 4S7. Wha» 
 principally determine the temperature of a country 1 Why is the greatest heat experi- 
 enced witliin the tropics? What happens as we recede from the equator? 4S3. Why is 
 the latitude of a place of the first importance in determining its temperature? Is this 
 tnie of countries lying between the tropics ? 4S9. Explain why a greater degree of heat 
 prevails at the trdpies tlian at the equator. 
 
CLIMATE. 155 
 
 pole, but has a direction due east and west. This ecliptic is, in point of 
 fact, the path or the point of direct heat and sunlight over tlie earth's 
 surface. Thus, then, it appears, that when this point has reached its near- 
 est approach to either pole, it does not immediately turn back toward the 
 other pole, but remains at that nearest distance for a considerable time ; or, 
 as it were, lingers there. It has been calculated, that if the space betAveen 
 the tropics be imagined to be divided into three equal bands of the earth, 
 the point of direct sunlight would be found to linger in each of the two 
 outer bands 3 5 times as long as in the middle band. 
 
 490. " This lingering of the point of direct heat and sunlight at its nearest 
 approach to the poles, is a necessary result of that simple and admirable 
 provision, by which the earth is made to revolve round the sun, rotating at 
 the same time round an axis which has an inclined position, and which pre- 
 serves its parallelism. The object of it is obviously to minister to the polar 
 regions, in their due proportion, light and heat."* 
 
 491. In the northern hemisphere, the countries where the 
 greatest heat is experienced — the banks of the Senegal, the Te- 
 hama of Arabia, and Mekran in Beloochistan — coincide with 
 the tropic of Cancer ; and it has been found that the snow-line 
 of the Andes in 17° south latitude is higher than at the equator, 
 an evidence of a higher temperature. 
 
 492. (2) The temperature of countries is largely affected by 
 the extent of their elevation above the level of the sea. As we as- 
 cend in the atmosphere the cold increases, — an effect due to the 
 rarefaction of the air, and to the circumstance of being farther 
 from the heat reflected from the surface of the earth. We may 
 travel several hundred miles from the equator toward the poles, 
 along the level surface of the earth, before we become sensible 
 of a diminished temperature ; but the moment we begin to increase 
 our elevation, a rapid change of temperature is experienced, 
 until we arrive at a point where constant frost prevails. 
 
 493. The ratio of the diminution of temperature usually given, 
 is 1° for 300 feet of height ; 2° for 595 feet ; 3° for 872 feet ; 4o 
 
 Questions. — 490. What is said of the lingrerins: of the point of direct light and heat at 
 the tropics? What is obviously its object? 491. What is said o( the countries in the 
 northern hemisphere where the greatest heat is experienced ? 492. By what else is the 
 temperature, of countries largely affected ? What occurs as we ascend in the atmosphere, 
 and why ? StMte the difference, as affecting climate, between traveling on the surface of 
 the earth, from the equator toward ihe poles., and increasing our elevation. 493. What is 
 Ihe ratio of the diminution ot lemperarare for different heights? What is remarked of 
 the effect of elevatii'n in the temperate zone? 
 
 * Professor Moseley's " Astro-Theology," 
 
156 
 
 CLIMATE. 
 
 for 1,124 feet ; 5° for 1,347 feet ; and 6° for 1,539 feet. In the 
 temperate zone generally, if one site is a thousand yards higher 
 than another adjoining, it will have a climate 12° colder; and 
 the higher the latitude the lower the snow-line becomes, till it 
 meets the surface of the earth in the frigid zone. The following 
 diagram represents the line of perpetual snow forming the arc 
 
 Surface of the Earth. 
 
 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 SO 
 
 of an ellipsoid passing over the equator, from pole to pole. Making 
 allowance for the fact that the snow-line of the Andes is higher 
 at some distance from the equator, the diagram should not ex- 
 hibit a continuous curvature, but be corrected as follows : 
 
 ^tiVtv^- 
 
 
 ■-^ 
 
 ■\ 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 
 in 
 
 
 ^xs>^J>-- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 ^^^ ""'^ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 O 
 
 
 l-k 
 
 
 3) 
 
 OJ 
 
 
 
 s 
 
 
 ^? 
 
 (3 
 
 O 
 
 Height in Feet 
 
 O 
 
 o 
 
 o 
 
 b 
 
 O 
 
 b 
 o 
 
 
 r^ 
 
 ~^ 
 
 
 o 
 
 o 
 
 o 
 
 o 
 
 o 
 
 
 1 
 
 1 ^~"~^ 
 
 10 20 30 40 50 SO 70 80 
 
 Surface of the Earth. 
 
 ' 494. From this effect of elevation upon temperature, it is obvious that 
 the mountainous regions of the torrid zone have great varieties of climate. 
 The hot regions, tierras calientes, of Mexico include the country along the 
 eastern and western shores under tlie elevation of two thousand feet, where 
 the mean temperature is about 77°, and sugar, indigo, cotton, and bananas 
 flourish luxuriantly. Above these are the temperate regions, tierras te7n- 
 pladas, which lie along the slopes of the mountains at an elevation of from 
 2,000 to 5,000 feet. Here the yellow fever, the scourge of the low grounds, 
 is unknown ; and the mean heat of the year is from 68° to 70°. The trav- 
 eler enjoys a genial air, and encounters the oaks, cypresses, pines, tree- 
 ferns, and the cultivated grains of the United States. Still higher are the 
 cold regions, tierras frias, Avhich include the table-lands and the mountains 
 above 5,000 feet. On the borders of this zone the climate is still pleasant, 
 but beyond the elevation of 8,000 feet it becomes severe, and gradually as- 
 Bumes the character of polar latitudes. 
 
 495. Switzerland, from similar causes, exhibits a variety of climates. In 
 the narrow and deep valley of the Valais may be found great extremes of 
 
 QueKtioms — 494. "What is obvious from this effect of elevation iipon temperature? De- 
 scribe the hot regions, tierras ealientes, of Mexico. The tempemte regions, tierras t-em- 
 2)l<idas. Tlie cold regions, tierras frias. 495. What may be found in ihe valiey of llie 
 Valais, Swiizeriantl v What are ihe beights to which different kinds of vegetation grow 
 there ? 
 
CLIMATE. 157 
 
 climate, — the cold of Iceland and the heat of a Sicilian summer. Vines 
 grow to the height of 2,380 feet above the level of the sea ; trees to G,700 
 feet ; shrubs to 8,500 ; a few plants to 10,000, beyond whicli are a few lich- 
 ens; and the vegetation ceases entirely at the heiglit of 11,000 feet, amid 
 Arctic cold. 
 
 496. The following is the extreme line of elevation above the level of the 
 Bsa observed here of individual classes of vegetation : 
 
 Feet. 
 The silver birch . 5,500 
 The larch....... 6,000 
 
 The fir le sapin . . 6,300 
 Pinus cembra . . . 6,600 
 Rhododendron... 7,400 
 
 Feet. ] Feet. 
 
 Maize 2,772 [ The cherry 4,270 
 
 The oak 3,518 Potato 4,450 
 
 The walnut 3,620 j The nut 4,500 
 
 The yew 3,740 ! Tlie beech 4,800 
 
 Barley 4,180 | Mountain maple . 5,100 
 
 497. Etna is divided into three districts, each of which has a climate very 
 different from eitlier of the others. They are called La Regione Culta, or 
 the fertile region ; La Regione Sylvosa, the woody region ; and La Regione 
 Deserta, the barren region. Tlie productions of tliese districts are as di- 
 verse fi'om eacli other as are those of the three zones of the earth. 
 
 498. The Island of Teneriffe, with its celebrated Peak, presents another 
 illustration of the effect of elevation on climate. The Peak, which rises to 
 tlie height of 12,176 feet, has several zones of vegetation, arranged one abova 
 another, extending througli a perpendicular elevation of 11, 19^) feet, to 
 which vegetation ascends in that tropical latitude. The region of Vines 
 rises from the level of the sea to a height varying from 1,200 to 2,000 feet. 
 In this zone the date-tree flourishes, tlie sugar-cane, the plantain, the In- 
 dian fig, the olive, wheat, and the fruit-trees of Europe. The region of 
 Laurels includes the woody part of Teneriffe, in which a hardy species of 
 trees, as the oak, the laurel, etc., abound. Next comes the region of Pines, 
 filled with trees resembling the Scotch fir. Higher still may be found spe- 
 cies of grasses which reacli nearly to the line of perpetual snow. 
 
 499. The delightful climate of the valleys of Cashmere, and of portions of 
 Ilindoostan lying on the declivities of the Himalaya Mountains, is owing to 
 the elevations of those regions above the level of tlie sea. In tliese districts, 
 as well as on the table-land between the eastern and western Ghauts, the 
 temperature throughout the year is that of perpetual spring. Tlie inhabit- 
 ants of Quito, at an elevation of 9,540 feet, experience a genial and almost 
 invariable climate, in Avhich vegetation never ceases, while on the one hand, 
 they behold the mountain ridges covered with perpetual snow, and at the 
 distance of a few leagues, an intense and sickly degree of heat oppresses 
 the plains and lower levels. 
 
 Questions. — 496. "What'is the extreme line above the soa-level reached by certain classes 
 of plants ? 49T. How is Etna divided ? "What are the districts called, and what is said of 
 their productions ? 498. "What is said of the zones of vegetation on the Peak of Teneriffe ? 
 Describe the region of Vines. Of Laurels. Of Pinea. 499. Climate of Cashmere and 
 portions of Ilindoostan ? Quito ? 
 
158 CLIMATE. 
 
 LESSON XII. 
 
 CLIMATE — (^continued). 
 
 500. (3) The nearness to, or remoteness of a country from,, 
 the sea, is an important element in determining its climate. The 
 ocean preserves a much more uniform temperature than the land, 
 far lower than its extreme of heat, and higher than its extreme 
 cold. The winds that sweep over it have this character to some 
 extent impressed upon them, and commimicate it to the countries 
 over which they range. Hence islands and maritime districts 
 have milder climates than inland regions under the same parallel 
 of latitude, the currents from the ocean tempering their summer 
 heat, and moderating their winter cold. 
 
 501. London, though situated in a higher latitude, enjoys a 
 milder winter and cooler summer than Paris. The winters and 
 summers of Ireland are much more temperate than those of any 
 other country under the same parallel. A gradual increase of 
 cold is experienced in proceeding from Western Europe in an 
 easterly direction. At Dublin the mean annual temperature is 
 49.05, while that of Warsaw, in the same latitude, is 44.15 ; 
 thus it is nearly 5° colder at Warsaw than at Dublin. Again, it 
 is 6^^° colder at Moscow than at Copenhagen, though they are 
 equidistant from the equator. 
 
 502. America has a colder climate than corresponding latitudes in the 
 Eastern hemisphere. With reference to this, Humboldt advances the follow- 
 ing statement : " The comparative narrowness of this continent, — its elon- 
 gation toward the icy poles, — the ocean, whose unbroken surface is swept 
 by the trade- winds, — the currents of extremely cold water which flow from 
 the Straits of Magellan to Peru, — the numerous chains of mountains abound- 
 ing in the sources of rivers, and whose summits, covered with snow, rise far 
 above the region of the clouds, — the great number of immense rivers that, 
 after innumerable courses, always tend to the most distant shores, — deserts, 
 but not of sand, and consequently less susceptible of being impregnated 
 with heat, — impenetrable forests, that spread over the plains of the equator, 
 
 Questions. — 500. 'What is Ihe third cause wliicli affects climiite ? Wliat is said of the 
 ocean? Climate of islands and maritime districts? 501. Comparative climate of London 
 and Paris? Ireland? What is experienced in proceeding from Western Europe in an 
 easterly direction ? IIow much colder is it at Warsaw than at Dublin ? At Moscow than 
 at Copenhagen ? 502. How does the climate of America compare with that of the Eastern 
 hemi'phfre? Give the substance of IlumboUU's statement. 
 
CLIMATE. 159 
 
 abounding in rivers ; and which, in those parts of the country that are the 
 farthest distant from mountains and from the ocean, give rise to enormous 
 masses of water, which are either attracted by them, or are formed during 
 these acts of vegetation : all these causes produce, in the lower parts of 
 America, a climate which, from its coolness and humidity, is singularly con- 
 trasted with that of Africa. To these causes alone must we ascribe that 
 abundant vegetation, so vigorous and so rich in juices, and that thick and 
 umbrageous foliage, which constitute the characteristic features of the new 
 continent." 
 
 503. (4) The slope of a country, or the aspect it presents to 
 the sun's course, has an important influence on its climate. The 
 angle at which the sun's rays strike the ground, and conseqiiently 
 the power of those rays in heating it, varies with the exposure 
 of the soil to that luminary. The irregular surface of the earth, 
 — sunk into deep valleys in some parts, and raised into table-lands 
 and mountains in others, with slopes at all possible angles to 
 the general level, — presents every variety of inclination to the 
 varying obliquity of the sun's rays. 
 
 504. The effect of aspect is, of course, most strikingly seen in regions cov- 
 ered with high mountains. " Under a vertical sun, the sides of the Andes 
 receive the sun's rays as obliquely as they fall in our latitudes upon the 
 earth's level surface, — nay, as obliquely, perhaps, as they fall in summer 
 upon the level surface of the snows of Spitzbergen ; while the Alps en- 
 counter on parts of their southern slopes as direct a heat as that which 
 burns up the desert of Sahara ; and on their northern they are as much 
 hidden from the sun's influence as are the level snows of Lapland. 
 
 505. " In the Alps of the Valais, on the one side you may see the vine in 
 luxuriant growth, when the other is thick ribbed with ice. Thus, too, the 
 terraces and sloping plains which descend from the vast table-land of Cen- 
 tral Asia, where, inclining from its northern limit, they pass into the steppes 
 of Siberia, present, under the latitude of Edinburg, a cold intense enough 
 to freeze mercury ; while upon the southern terraces of the opposite Hima- 
 laya slope, flourish, at different elevations, the pineapple, the mango, the 
 gigantic cotton-tree, and the saul. This tropical vegetation ascends there 
 to an altitude of four or five thousand feet ; mingling itself, and by degrees 
 giving way to the plants of a temperate region, — elms, willows, roses, and 
 violets, destined in their turn, at a yet higher region, to yield to Alpine 
 forms of vegetable life."* 
 
 Questions. — 503. What is the fiurlh cause which determines the climati! of a cnunlry ? 
 What ii siiiJ of tlie irregular siirfuce of the earth ? 504. Wlieu is the elTuct of aspect most 
 striking'y seen? 5?5. llow is the effect of aspect exhibited ia the Alps? On the table- 
 lands of central As^a? 
 
 * Professor Jloselcy's " Astro- Theology." 
 
160 CLIMATE. 
 
 506. (5) The position and direction of mountain chains. — 
 Mountains affect climate in more ways than one. They con- 
 dense the vapors of the atmosphere, and thus give rise to those 
 violent rains which are so often experienced in the neighborhood 
 of lofty ranges. At Bergen, in Norway, there fall annually 88J 
 inches of water, which is more than at any other city in Europe ; 
 this is because the clouds from the Atlantic are driven forward 
 by the southwest winds into the fiords, where they are arrested 
 by the mountains, and accumulated, and the water, as it were, 
 mechanically squeezed out of them. 
 
 507. Mountains also afford shelter from the winds, while the 
 absence of them often exposes regions to the chilling blasts of 
 the north or the burning winds of the south. One reason why 
 the central and southern parts of European Russia are exposed 
 to a greater degree of cold than their latitude would lead us to 
 expect, is the absence of any chain of mountains to protect them 
 from the full influence of the wmds blowing from the White Sea 
 and Ural Mountains. The inhospitable climate of Siberia arises 
 from its descent toward the north, exposing it to the Avinds of 
 the Frozen Ocean ; while, at the same time, vast mountain chains 
 that cross Central Asia intercept the southern winds, whose ac- 
 cess would tend to mitigate the rigor of the atmosphere. 
 
 508. (6) Another cause which affects climate is the nature of 
 the soil. One soil acquires heat, keeps its acquired heat much 
 longer, or radiates it more readily than another. Ail the vari- 
 eties of soil, — light and open, vegetable molds, gravelly and 
 rocky tracts, stiff, wet clays, and sandy plains, — have, it can not 
 be questioned, their different powers of radiation and absorp- 
 tion ; and whether a district be clay or sand, bare or covered 
 with vegetation, for a like cause, greatly affects its temperature. 
 The differences of surface so observable in various kinds of 
 foliage, — their darker or lighter colors, their more or less glossy 
 leaves, — are all circumstances which affect the radiation of their 
 heat with an infinite variation. 
 
 Questions. — 506. Wlwt is the fifth cause which affects chmate? How do mountains 
 cause rain ? Annual fall of rain at Bergen ? How aceounteJ for? 50T. What is another 
 way in which mountains influence climate 1 How illustrated in the case of the climate of 
 Bouthern Eussia? From what does the inhospitable climate of Siberia arise? 50S. What 
 is the sixth cause which afiteets climate ? Different varieties of soil ? 
 
CLIMATE. 161 
 
 509. Thus clayey or marshy grounds lower the temperature, 
 and, especially in hot and humid climates, affect the atmosphere 
 in a manner pernicious to health. On the other hand, those 
 which are light, stony, or calcareous tend to make the atmos- 
 phere salubrious. The great cold, and the unwholesome air, 
 that prevail in the Russian governments of Astrakan and Oren- 
 burg, lying to the north of the Caspian Sea, are attributed partly 
 to the saline nature of the soil ; and it is well known that the 
 arid tracts of sand in Africa and Arabia conduce not a little to 
 the excessive heat of those countries. 
 
 510. (7) The degree of cultivation and improvemeni at which a 
 country has arrived. — The clearing of forests, the draining of 
 swamps and marshes, the cultivation of the soil, etc., are among 
 the operations of man by which the climate of a country is greatly 
 modified and improved. The clearing of a country from trees 
 has the effect of raising the mean annual temperature, but at the 
 same time greater extremes of heat and cold are introduced. 
 Open grounds are always frozen deeper than woodlands, but the 
 latter retain the snow and ice of winter to a much later period 
 in the spring than the former. In the cleared portions of North 
 America, the winters are known to be much less severe now 
 than formerly, when woods spread over a greater part of the 
 country. There is little doubt that many parts of Europe enjoy 
 a milder climate now than they did in the time of the Romans, 
 or even at periods much more recent. 
 
 511. (8) The prevalent winds of a country constitute another 
 cause which affects its climate. This is obvious enough from 
 what has been said in the lessons on Winds, from which we 
 learn that the character of a wind depends upon the region 
 whence it comes. In the United States the winds from the north 
 are usually noted for their coolness, a property they derive in 
 the frozen regions of Hudson and Baffin Bays, while those from 
 the south, coming from the Gulf of Mexico, impart a mildness 
 throughout the whole country. The comparatively mild climate 
 
 Qitfistifma.—bV^. Effect of different kinds of ground on temperature ? Illustrate. 510, 
 Seventh cause which iiflects climate? Effect of clearing a country from trees? 511. Eighth 
 cause which .-iffecls climate? The north winds of the United States? The south winds? 
 The comparatively mild climate of the British Isles, to what owing? llow is the temper- 
 ature affected by certain winds in Venezuela ? 
 
162 CLIMATE. 
 
 of the British Isles is owing to the prevalence of westerly winds 
 which are warmed by sweeping over the region of the Gulf 
 Stream. In Venezuela, the temperature, which is from 87° to 
 90° in March, rises to 104° or 105°, whenever the wind blows 
 from the parched surface of the llanos or great plains. 
 
 512. (9) The annual quantity of rain that falls in a country 
 considerably affects its climate by imparting a greater or less 
 degree of humidity or dampness to the atmosphere. In general, 
 more rain falls in islands and on sea-coasts than in inland dis- 
 tricts, among mountains than in level regions, and within the 
 tropics than in the other zones : the great heat which prevails in 
 the equatorial regions causes the amount of evaporation to be 
 much greater than in higher latitudes, and hence the atmosphere 
 becomes loaded with a greater quantity of moisture. 
 
 LESSON XIII. 
 
 CLIMATE — (^continued). 
 
 513. In almost all northern latitudes, January and February 
 are the coldest months of the year, and July and August the 
 warmest. The greatest cold during the day is usually about an 
 hour before sunrise. The greatest heat in latitudes between 35° 
 and 60° is from two to three o'clock p.m., and from one to two 
 o'clock, between the equator and 35°. 
 
 514. The mean temperature of different months, in various 
 places, takes a very wide range above and below the mean an- 
 nual temperature. An " excessive" climate is where the contrast 
 between the winter and summer temperature is very great. 
 
 Such climates are chiefly found in northern and eastern Eurore, 
 in Asia and America. 
 
 515. The climates of the Atlantic region of the United States, 
 and of the northern part of China, are among the most " exces- 
 
 QueHions. — 512. Ninth cause which affects climate? Where does the most rain fall? 
 513. Which are the coldest months in almost all northern latitudes? Which, the warmest? 
 When T8 the greatest cold during the day? When, the greatest heat? 514. What is said 
 of the mean temperature of dilTerent months in various places? What is an "excessive" 
 climate? Where are " excessive" climates chiefly found ? 516. What regions are subject 
 to the most " excessive" climates ? What examples are mentioned ? 
 
CLIMATE. 
 
 163 
 
 sive," the winters and summers strongly contrasting in their tem- 
 perature. New York has the summer of Rome, and the winter 
 of Copenhagen. At Quebec, grapes sometimes ripen in the open 
 air, whereas the winter is that of St. Petersburg, during which 
 the snow lies from three to five feet deep for several months. 
 At Pekin, in China, the scorchmg heats of summer are greater 
 than at Cairo, and the winters as rigorous as at Upsal. 
 
 516. The following table gives the difference in the mean temperature of 
 the coldest and warmest months at different places : 
 
 Places. 
 
 Latitude. 
 
 Coldest 
 Month. 
 
 Warmest 
 Month. 
 
 Difference 
 
 10° 27' 
 
 80-10 
 
 84-40 
 
 4-30 
 
 11 
 
 55 
 
 761 
 
 914 
 
 153 
 
 14 
 
 36 
 
 6S-0 
 
 86-9 
 
 18-9 
 
 19 
 
 11 
 
 711-0 
 
 817 
 
 11-7 
 
 19 
 
 46 
 
 77-0 
 
 86-0 
 
 090 
 
 23 
 
 10 
 
 70-0 
 
 83 8 
 
 13-8 
 
 32 
 
 37 
 
 64-0 
 
 75-6 
 
 11-6 
 
 31 
 
 28 
 
 46 9 
 
 78-8 
 
 31-9 
 
 39 
 
 06 
 
 296 
 
 74-4 
 
 44-8 
 
 39 
 
 54 
 
 248 
 
 84-2 
 
 59-4 
 
 39 
 
 56 
 
 29-8 
 
 77-0 
 
 47-2 
 
 40 
 
 40 
 
 25-3 
 
 80-8 
 
 55-5 
 
 41 
 
 53 
 
 421 
 
 77 
 
 349 
 
 45 
 
 28 
 
 33 8 
 
 55 2 
 
 24-4 
 
 4T 
 
 29 
 
 27-6 
 
 71-6 
 
 43-9 
 
 4S 
 
 50 
 
 85'1 
 
 69-8 
 
 34-7 
 
 47 
 
 13 
 
 39-0 
 
 70-0 
 
 31-0 
 
 60 
 
 07 
 
 242 
 
 61-8 
 
 37-6 
 
 46 
 
 04 
 
 14-0 
 
 73-4 
 
 59-4 
 
 53 
 
 21 
 
 37-6 
 
 60 3 
 
 22-7 
 
 55 
 
 58 
 
 3S-3 
 
 59-4 
 
 21-1 
 
 52 
 
 14 
 
 27-1 
 
 70-3 
 
 43-2 
 
 59 
 
 56 
 
 08-6 
 
 65-7 
 
 571 
 
 71 
 
 00 
 
 22-1 
 
 46-6 
 
 245 
 
 Observations. 
 
 Cumana 
 
 Pondicherry . . 
 
 Manilla 
 
 Vera Cruz 
 
 Cape i'rancjais 
 
 Havana 
 
 Funchal 
 
 U atchez 
 
 Cincinnati 
 
 Pekin 
 
 I'hilaiielphia. . 
 
 New York 
 
 ]!ome 
 
 Milan 
 
 IJuda 
 
 Paris 
 
 Nantes 
 
 Upsal 
 
 Quebec 
 
 l)uhlin 
 
 Kdinburgh 
 
 Wyrsaw" 
 
 St. Petersburg 
 North Cape. .. 
 
 Uninterrupted trade-winds. 
 Monsoons. Radiation of sands. 
 Monsoons. 
 
 Nortli winds in winter. 
 Uninterrupted trade-winds. 
 Nortli winds in winter. 
 Insular climate. 
 Interior region. 
 
 do. do. 
 Region of eastern Asia. 
 Eastern America coast. 
 
 do. do. do. 
 
 Southern Europe. 
 Interior land. 
 
 do. do. 
 Nearer the western coast 
 
 do. do. do. 
 
 North Europe. 
 Eastern America coast. 
 Insular climate. 
 
 do. do. 
 Interior land. 
 Northern Europe. 
 Climate of coasts and islands. 
 
 517. Isothermal lines (signifying lines of equal heat) are those 
 drawn over places which have the same, or nearly the same, an- 
 nual temperature. These lines do not coincide with the parallels 
 for the reason that there are other causes besides solar action 
 which influence climate, as explained in the last two lessons. 
 The meteorological map shows, by the use of isothermal lines, 
 those regions which have the same, or nearly the same, temper- 
 ature. The figures attached to each curve indicate the mean 
 annual temperature of the region traversed by it. 
 
 518. In ih&i northern hemisphere, the curve line on the map, indicating 
 the mean annual temperature of 8O0, crosses Central America about the 
 Gulf of Honduras, passes south of St. Domingo, descending across the At- 
 
 Questionn. — 517. What are isothermal lines? Why do not these lines coincide with the 
 parallels ? 518. What regions are crossed by the isotherm of 80° ? 
 
164 CLIMATE. 
 
 lantic to the west coast of Africa, which it cuts near Sierra Leone. It rises 
 on that continent, and after crossing the Red Sea and Arabia, it returns 
 toward the equator, traversing the southern part of Hindoostan, and the 
 northern part of the peninsula of Malacca. 
 
 519. The Warmth Equator shows the district of the greatest heat, which 
 have temperatures varying from 81° to 88°. It does not coincide with the 
 geographical, but lies mostly to the north of that line, attaining its great- 
 est distance in eastern Africa, and in the Indian Ocean. 
 
 520. The isothermal line of 70° crosses northern Mexico, and the penin- 
 sula of Florida, its course in America being nearly coincident with the 
 parallel of 28°. It reaches the coast of Africa above the Canary Islands, 
 ascends toward Tunis about latitude 34°, runs through the Mediterranean 
 south of Candia, enters S3'ria north of Beyroot, traverses Asia south of 
 the Hindoo-Koosh and Himalaya mountains, and descends in China to the 
 tropic. This line marks the north boundary of the warm zone, and is gen- 
 erally the southern limit of the fall of snow at the sea- level. 
 
 521. The isothermal line of 50°, central to the temperate zone, passes the 
 mouth of the Columbia river, on the west coast of America, latitude 46°, 
 descends in the interior, and reaches the shores of the Atlantic near New 
 York, latitude 41°. It then rises abruptly to latitude 56° in the north At- 
 lantic, descends by Dublin, London, and through midland Europe to the 
 mouth of the Danube, latitude 45°, cuts the north of the Black and Caspian 
 seas, falls in the interior of Asia, rising on the eastern coast. 
 
 522. The isothermal line of 80°, indicating an average temperature below 
 the freezing point, leaves the west coast of America in latitude 61°, rises 
 and declines in the interior, falling to latitude 53° on the shores of Labrador. 
 It then ascends abruptly to latitude 74° in the Arctic Ocean, and passing 
 around the North Cape of Europe, as abruptly descends to latitude 50° in 
 the interior of Asia. This line marks the southern limit of permanently 
 frozen ground, which, in Asia, occurs in a latitude as low as that of London. 
 
 523. The isothermal lines indicating a lower degree of temperature can 
 only be traced with certainty through portions of their course. That of 20° 
 appears to descend from the mouth of the Mackenzie River, latitude 68° to 
 latitude 59° on the coast of Labrador. From thence it rises to latitude 77°, 
 cutting the south of Spitzbergen, and fiiUs in Asia to latitude 56°. Tha 
 isothermal line of 10° passes to the north of Hudson Bay in America, an^ 
 of Yakutsh in Asia. 
 
 524. The western part of Europe has much greater warmtxi 
 
 Que-Hionfi. — 519. What dofs the Warmth Equator show? On which side of the f-quator 
 does it mostly lie, and where does it attain its greatest distance? 520. Describe t'fC course 
 of the isothermal line of 70°. What does this line mark? £21. Describe the, course of 
 the isothermal line of 50°. 522. The isothermal line of 30°. What does thi . line mark? 
 523. What is said of the isothermal lines indicating a lower degree of tempe-jiture ? That 
 of 20°? Of 10°? 524. What is said of the comparative temperature of westt.n Europe and 
 eastern America? What is the first cause mentioned ? The second? T^> third? 
 
CLIMATE. 165 
 
 than corresponding latitudes in eastern America, as is indicated 
 by the convexity of the isothermal lines about the meridian of 
 Greenwich. This is due to a variety of causes. 1. The pre- 
 vailing vv^inds being from the southw^est, come from the equatorial 
 districts, and partially bear the heat of the tropics to the shores 
 of Europe. 2. The warm waters of the Gulf Stream, which 
 sweep across the Atlantic to the neighborhood of Europe, ele- 
 vate the temperature of the coasts that are washed by them. 3. 
 The Gulf Stream, it is true, runs along the east coast of America 
 from Florida to Cape Hatteras, but the current is there very 
 narrow, and the prevailing winds carry the hot superincumbent 
 winds away from the shore. On the other hand, a sea current 
 comes down from the Arctic Ocean to the coasts of Labrador 
 and Newfoundland, which contributes to depress the temperature 
 by its cold waters, but chiefly by the floating icebergs that de- 
 scend with it. 
 
 525. With reference to climate and productions, the globe may 
 be divided into the following regions, — the hot, warm, temperate, 
 cold, and frigid. 
 
 526. The Hot Regions occupy a zone extending on each side 
 of the equator to a few degrees beyond the northern and southern 
 tropic. Here abound the finest spices, the sugar-cane, the palm 
 and banana tribes. It includes the islands and mainland of 
 southern Asia, the middle and northern countries of Africa, and 
 the central parts of America. 
 
 527. The Warm Regions extend from the northern limit of 
 the sugar-cane to the northern boundary of the olive and fig ; 
 and include the southern districts of Europe, part of midland 
 and southwestern Asia, and portions of the southern United 
 States. The frosts here are not severe in the plains ; snow is 
 rare ; and the rivers are seldom frozen over. The winters are 
 more distinguished for dampness than cold, resembling the spring 
 of the temperate regions. Vegetables on the south of this zone 
 grow during seven or eight months of the year, and the trees 
 are not deprived of their foliage more than two months. 
 
 QueUions. — 525. Into what regions may the globe be divided with reference to climate 
 and productions? 526. What are the limits of the Hot Regions? What abound hero? 
 What countries does it include ? 52T. Where do the Warm Begions exteud ? "What di»- 
 tricta do tUcy include ? What characterizes these regions ? 
 
166 CLIMATE. 
 
 528. The Temperate Regions reach from the norihern region 
 of the olive and fig to that of the grape-vine, and have a mean 
 temperature varying from 50° on the northern border to 59° on 
 the southern. The transition from w^inter to summer is here 
 gradual, and the four seasons are distinctly marked. Grain, veg- 
 etables, and many fine fruits are produced n abundance, with 
 excellent pasturage. The northern part of the United States is 
 included in this regio-n, with France, Germany, southern Russia, 
 Holland, Belgium, England, and Ireland, in Europe. 
 
 529. The Cold Regions include the country between the grape- 
 vine and the northern limits of the oak, or midland Russia and 
 southern Scandinavia, in Europe, southern Siberia in Asia, and 
 the British Provinces in North America. The summers are 
 short, hot, and oppressive, and the winters severe and protracted. 
 Nearly six months in the year the temperature of Stockholm and 
 St. Petersburg is below the freezing point. 
 
 530. The Frozen Regions extend from the northern boundary 
 of the oak to the pole. The birch, the hardiest of trees, gener- 
 ally ceases to grow about latitude 70° in Europe, where man is 
 compelled to give up the cultivation of grain. Shrubs and veg- 
 etation linger on farther north ; grasses and lichens then are only 
 to be met with ; and eternal snows and ice succeed. In regions 
 north of 59° in Asia, 71° in Europe, and 54° in America, the 
 mean annual temperature is below the freezing point. Around 
 Hudson Bay and in North Siberia, lakes and standing water of 
 no great depth are frozen to the bottom ; the inhabitants remain 
 crowded together in small huts ; and if the cold air suddenly 
 enters a habitation, the vapors fall in a shower of snow. 
 
 531. Observation in high northern latitudes has pretty nearly 
 determined the fact that the point of greatest cold is not coinci- 
 dent with the pole, but that the lowest temperature is found at 
 twd points situated at about 78° of latitude, and 95° west longi- 
 tude and 130° east. Captain Parry, who wintered at Melville 
 
 Question!:. — 528. What are the bounds of the Temperate Regions? Their temperature? 
 What is said of the seasons here 1 What countries are included in this region ? 529. 
 "What do the cold regions include? The seasons here? 530. Where do the Frozen Re- 
 gions extend ? Give particulars respecting this region. 531. What has observation in 
 high northern latitudes nearly determined ? Where are the supposed points of the greatest 
 cold ? 
 
CLIMATE. 107 
 
 Island, often observed the thermometer in the ship at 50°, and 
 at a distance from the ship at 55° below zero, perhaps the low- 
 est temperature, upon which entire dependence may be placed, 
 that has been remarked. He wintered on the south coast of the 
 island in about latitude 74°, and obtained the following results 
 of observation : 
 
 The greatest heat at Melville Island, was + 60° Fahr. on the 17th of July. 
 
 The greatest cold at ditto, — 50 " on the 15th of Feb. 
 
 Mean temp, of warmest month, July +42-41 " 
 
 " ■ of coldest month, Feb — 82-19 " 
 
 of Winter.— Dec, Jan., Feb. —28-02 " 
 
 " of Spring. — Mar., Apr., May — 03-27 " 
 
 " of Summer. — June,July.Aug.-(- 3711 " 
 
 •' of Autumn. — Sept., Oct., Nov. — 00-51 « 
 
 The mean temperature for 12 months ... -f 01 : S3 «♦ 
 
PART IT. 
 
 ORGANIC EXISTENCE. 
 
 LESSON I. 
 
 PLANTS. 
 
 HE term organic existence is 
 applied to those objects which 
 have life. Organic bodies are 
 such as have organs, on the 
 action of which depends their 
 growth and pe-rfection. They 
 are either animals or plants. 
 With animals, the stomach is 
 the organ of digestion, the lungs 
 of respiration, the limbs of mo- 
 tion, etc. A plant is also com- 
 posed of parts, as the root, bark, 
 
 leaves, etc., which severally perform certain functions necessary 
 
 to its existence and growth. 
 
 533. Botanical Geography, or the " Geography of Plants," is 
 a branch of natural science that treats of the laws which reg- 
 ulate the distribution of vegetable life over the surface of the 
 earth. Plants occur over the whole globe under the most op- 
 posite conditions. They flourish in the bosom of the ocean as 
 well as on land, under the extremes of cold and heat, in polar 
 and etjuatorial regions, on the hardest rocks and in the most fer- 
 tile valleys, amid the perpetual snow of lofty mountains and in 
 springs at the temperature of boiling water, and in deep caverns 
 where the sun has never sent a cheering ray. 
 
 534. The life and healthy growth of plants depend upon light, 
 heat, and moisture. It is light that gives to plants the beautiful 
 
 Qiwstiorifi.— bZ'i,. To what is tlie ti-rm organic fcristevce appli' d ? What are organic 
 bodiis? Name some of Ihe orsrans of animals? of plants? £33. What is JJotanit'al Geog- 
 raphy ? UncUr what opposite conditions do plants flourish? 534. Upon what does the 
 life, etc., of plants depend ? What gives the green color to plants ? 
 
PLANTS. 169 
 
 green color, the intensity of which increases with the brilliancy 
 of the light. " Plants always turn toward the light ; the guiding 
 power we know not, but the evidence of some impulsive or at- 
 tracting force is strong, and the purpose for which they are con- 
 stituted to obey it is proved to be the dependence of vegetable 
 existence upon luminous power."* 
 
 535. Heat is another essential which determines the condition 
 of plants, by the amount of it which prevails during the season 
 of vegetation. In the cold regions of very high latitudes veg- 
 etation scarcely exists, and even in the temperate zones its 
 luxuriance is materially diminished by the severe climate of 
 winter. The influence of heat on vegetable life is most strikingly 
 exhibited on high mountains in the torrid zone, where the growth 
 and luxuriance of plants diminish in proportion to elevation, and 
 consequently in proportion to the diminution of heat. 
 
 536. Without moisture there can be no vegetation, and this 
 element is supplied to the plant in three different forms : tlp.t of 
 vapor which the plant absorbs, — that of liquid water by which 
 some plants are surrounded, and that of moisture which the plant 
 extracts, as nutriment from the earth. The development of plants 
 is further dependent upon the chemical qualities of the soil in 
 which they live, whether it be composed of pure or mixed earths, 
 or of soil rich in clay or vegetable mold. 
 
 537. It belongs to Botany, Vegetable Physiology, and Agri- 
 cultural Chemistry to investigate the structure and nature of 
 plants, and to examine in detail the treasures of the vegetable 
 kingdom. The business of the physical geographer is to notice 
 the disposition of the vegetable tribes, and the circumstances 
 which seem to regulate their distribution. 
 
 538. Scarcely fourteen hundred species of plants appear to 
 have been known by the Greeks and Romans. At the time of 
 
 QitfiHinns. — 535. 'VThfre is the offect of heat on vegetation most strikingly extiibited \ 
 536. Whiit is sail! of iiioisiure, and in what three forms is it supplied to plants? Upon 
 what else is the development of plants dependent ? 537. What is the business of the phys- 
 iral ge'-grapher? 535. IIow many s|>ciie8 of plants were known by the Greeks and Eo. 
 mans? How many at ihi^ time of Linnsens in 1762? In 18.S5? IIow many have bt-en 
 collected at the present time ? Probable number on the earth / 
 
 • " The Toctry of Science," by Eobert Hunt. 
 S 
 
ITO PLANTS, 
 
 Linnaeus (1762) the number of known species was 8,800. In 
 1835, Lindley gave the number at 86j000. At the present time, 
 according to Lyell, there have been collected upward of 100,000 
 species ; and when we reflect that the interior of Africa, of Aus- 
 tralia, and of the great islands of Oceanica, have not been visited 
 by the naturalist, it will not be deemed extravagant to estimate 
 the total aggregate of species on the earth at 133,000. 
 
 539. " A species embraces all such individuals as may have originated 
 from a common stock. Such individuals bear an essential resemblance to 
 each other, as well as to their common parent, in all their parts. Thus the 
 ivhite clover is a species, embracing thousands of cotemporary individuals, 
 scattered over our hills and plains, all of a common descent, and producing 
 other individuals of their o^wn kind from their seed."* 
 
 540. The vegetable kingdom consists of two great natural di- 
 visions, namely, Phcenogamia, or Flowering Plants, and Crypto- 
 gamia, or Flowerless Plants. The Phcenogamia possess a 
 woody structure, have leafy appendages, develop flowers, and 
 produce seeds. They have two subdivisions, depending upon 
 their manner of growth, called Exogens and Endogens. 
 
 541. The Exogens [eaco, outside, and gennao, to produce) 
 are a class of flowering plants whose stems have bark, wood, 
 and pith. The bark is increased by layers deposited within the 
 previously formed layers, and the wood by layers or rings placed 
 outside of those of the previous year. This class embraces the 
 forest trees, as the oak, elm, pine, chestnut, poplar, hazel, willow, 
 birch, etc., most of the flowering shrubs and herbs, as the arbu- 
 tus, sage, mint ; also the dahlia, artichoke, thistle, lettuce, mari- 
 gold, dandelion, daisy, etc. They are also called dicotyledons, 
 from the seed consisting of two lobes. 
 
 542. As a new layer is formed every year, it is easy to determine the age 
 of an exogenous tree, by counting the number of layers or rings. In this 
 way De CondoUe advances proof of the following ages : 
 
 Questions. — 539. What is a species? Example. 5i0. Of 'what two great natural divi- 
 sions does the vegetable kingdom consist? Describe the Phseuogamia. What two subdi- 
 visions have the Phaenogamia ? 541. What are the Exogens? How are the bark anil 
 wood of this subdivision increased ? What does this class embrace ? By what other name 
 aTe they called, and why? 542. How may the age of an exogenous tree be determined? 
 Ages of several species of trees ? 
 
 * Wood's " Class-Book of Botany." 
 
.DISTRIBUTION OF PLANTS. 
 
 171 
 
 Elm 335 years. 
 
 Cypress about 350 " 
 
 Cheirostemon about 400 " 
 
 Ivy ....450 " 
 
 Lar,ch 576 " 
 
 Orange 630 " 
 
 Olive 700 « 
 
 OrientalPlane, 720 years and upwari 
 Cedar of Lebanon about. .800 years. 
 
 Oak 810,1080,1500 
 
 Lime 1076,1147 « 
 
 Yew 1214,1458,2588,2880" 
 
 Taxodium. 4000 to 6000 « 
 
 Baobab... 5150 " 
 
 543. The Endogens (endon, "within, and gennao, to produce) are 
 those which have their stems increasing from within, and present 
 no appearance of wood, pith, or bark. They comprehend the nu- 
 merous grasses, and the most important of all the vegetable tribes ; 
 namely, the valuable pasture and all the grain-yielding plants, 
 wheat, barley, oats, maize, rice, sugar-cane, etc., also lilies and the 
 palm family. They are often called monocotyledons [monos, sin- 
 gle, and kotuledon, cavity), from their having only one seed-lobe. 
 
 544. The Cryptogamia, or flowerless plants, include mosses, 
 lichens, fungi, ferns, sea-weeds, etc. 
 
 545. Station indicates the peculiar nature of the locality where 
 each species is accustomed to grow, and has reference to climate, 
 soil, humidity, light, elevation above the sea, etc. ; by habitation 
 is meant a general indication of the country where a plant grows 
 wild. Thus the station of a plant may be a salt-raarsh, a hill-" 
 side, the bed of the sea, or a stagnant pool. Its habitation may 
 be Europe, North America, or New Holland, between the tropics. 
 
 LESSON II. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION OF PLANTS. 
 
 546. In considering the distribution of the vegetable species 
 it is important to observe the distinction between indigenous and 
 exotic plants. The former are the native productions of a coun- 
 try; the latter are those which have been introduced from abroad. 
 The number of exotic plants is comparatively small. They con- 
 sist, for the most part, of those species which are eminently use- 
 
 Questions. — 543. What are the Endngens? What do they comprehend ? By wh;:tothir 
 name are Ihey called, and why? 544. What do the Cryptoffamia include? 545. What 
 does station indicate? Habitation? Illustrate? 546. Wh.nt are indigenous plants? Exotic 
 plants ? or what species do the exotics, for the most part, consist ? 
 
172 DISTEIBUTION OF PLANTS. 
 
 ful to man, in furnishing him food, the materials for clothing, etc., 
 besides a variety of flowering plants and shrubs. 
 
 547. The indigenous class comprehends the great proportion 
 of the vegetable species vi^hich adorn the surface of the globe. 
 It includes many useful plants which can not be successfully 
 transplanted to foreign climes ; but by far the greater number are 
 those which are not so especially serviceable to man, and hence 
 there is no inducement to transfer them from the countries in 
 which they are naturally produced. 
 
 548. Of the indigenous plants, it has been ascertained that 
 difierent regions are inhabited by distinct species. This fact is 
 strikingly exhibited by an examination of^ New Holland, where 
 they are found to be, almost without exception, distinct from 
 those known in other parts of the world. Countries situated be- 
 tween the same parallels of latitude differ essentially in their 
 species of vegetation. Out of 2,891 species of flowering plants 
 observed by a naturalist in the United States, there were only 
 385 which are found in northern or temperate Europe. Hum- 
 boldt and Bonpland, in all their travels in equinoctial America, 
 found only twenty-four species common to America and any other 
 part of the world. 
 
 5i9. It is a remarkable fact, that in the more widely separated 
 parts of the eastern continent, notwithstanding the existence of 
 an uninterrupted land-communication, the diversity of species is 
 almost as striking as between countries separated by wide oceans. 
 Thus there is found one assemblage of species in China ; another, 
 in the countries bordering the Black and the Caspian seas ; a third, 
 in those surrounding the Mediterranean ; and a fourth, in the great 
 platforms of Siberia and Tartary. 
 
 550. By the term botanical province is meant a district having a 
 peculiar species of vegetation. Twenty great botanical provinces 
 have been established, although many of these contain a variety 
 of species which are common to several others. Professor Mar- 
 
 Qiie'-tior.K. — 547. Y'hnt does the inrligenous class comprehenil ? What does it include? 
 .543. "U'h:it has heen asccrlained rrspecling the indigenous planis? What is said of the 
 V srelation of difTi-rint countries siluated between the same parallels of latitude? Illustrate. 
 5-13. yrhat is said of the diversity of species in the eastern continent? Illustrate. £50. 
 What is meant by the term botanical province 1 How many botanical provinces have 
 been established 1 
 

 i, .Mel:viIJ.(?.Is 
 
 \Cr r e e n 1 a ji d. 
 
 
 <^ 
 
 -V-..-N5'S'i.ii 
 
 .i*':?° 
 
 
 i»T»Tbf ^ 
 
 
 ^O.,^ 
 
 M£LT7q.T-M=SaG Is. C>JS 
 
 %\ V>, n Fa z\ 1» I 
 
 •Ca.peHoiTL 
 
 
 •VSealaiicL 
 
 Map of 
 
 ./*' 
 
 .f7wmru/ tlte 
 DI.STlUBt'TIOJSI Jtxij XIMITS 
 
 THE PmNClPAL PLANTS 
 
 vsF.m. TO MAXTa:^rij 
 
DISTKIBTJTION" OF PLANTS. 173 
 
 tius, of Munich, has divided the vegetation of (he globe into 5 1. , 
 provinces, namely, 5 in Europe, 11 in Africa, 13 in Asia, 3 in 
 New Holland, 4 in North and 8 in South America, besides Cen- 
 tral America, the Antilles, the Antarctic Lands, New Zealand, 
 Van Diemen's Land, New Guinea, and Polynesia. 
 
 551. " The first travelers "were persuaded that they shovild find, in distant 
 regions, the plants of their own country, and they took a pleasure in giving 
 them the same names. It was some time before this illusion was dissipated ; 
 but so fully sensible did botanists at last become of the extreme smalhiess 
 of the number of phEenogamous plants common to diflferent continents, that 
 the ancient Floras fell into disrepute. All grew diffident cf the pretended 
 identification; and we now find that every naturalist is inclined to exaiuino 
 each supposed exception with scrupulous severity. If they admit the fact, 
 they begin to speculate on the mode whereby the seeds may have been trans- 
 ported from one country to the other, or inquire on Avhich of two continents 
 the plant was indigenous, assuming that a species, like an individual, can 
 not have two birthplaces."* 
 
 552. Plants are diffused in a variety of ways. The principal 
 of the inanimate agents provided by nature for scaltcring Ihe 
 seeds of plants over the globe, are the movements cf the atmo- 
 sphere and of the ocean, and the constant flow of water from the 
 mountains to the sea. A great number of seeds are furnished 
 with downy and feathery appendages, enabling them, when ripe, 
 to float in the air, and to be wafted easily to great distances by 
 the most gentle breeze. As winds often prevail for days and 
 weeks, or even months together, in the same direction, such 
 seeds may be conveyed to a great distance from the parent plant. 
 Even the heavier grains may be borne through considerable spaces 
 by the hurricanes and whirlwinds which prevail in some regions. 
 The germs of many plants, as mosses, fungi, and lichens, con- 
 
 I sist of a fine powder, the particles of which are scarcely visible 
 to the naked eye, and there is no difiiculty in accounting for 
 their being dispersed throughout the atmosphere, and carried to 
 any point of the globe where there is a station fitted for them. 
 
 553. Rivers aid in the distribution of vegetation by bringing 
 down to the valleys the seeds which m.ay accidentally fall into 
 
 Quentiona. — 552, What are the principal inanimate agi'iits employed in s altering llie 
 eeeda of plants ? Explain the agency of winds. 553. Of rivers. The Gulf Slreaui. 
 
 ' Lyell's " Principles of Geology." 
 
174 DISTKIBUTION" OF PLANTS, 
 
 them. Thus the southern shores of the Baltic are visited by 
 seeds which grew ia the interior of Germany, and the western 
 shores of tlie Atlantic by seeds that generated in the interior of 
 America. The Gulf Scream is known to convey to the western 
 coasts of Europe the iVuits and seeds of plants which are indig- 
 enous to America and the West Indies, in such a state that they 
 might have vegetated had the climate and soil been favorable. 
 
 554. Seeds are also distributed by the agency of animals. 
 Some kinds adhere, by means of prickles, hooks, and hairs, with 
 which they are provided, to the coats of animals, to which they 
 remain attached for weeks, or even months, and are borne along 
 into every region whither quadrupeds may migrate. 
 
 555. The diffusion of the vegetable species is also promoted 
 by migratory birds, which every year alternate in millions be- 
 tween different countries, and convey to and fro the seeds of 
 plants preserved in their gizzards, or attached to their feathers. 
 When we reflect that these causes have acted incessantly for 
 thousands of years, we can not doubt the immense effect of their 
 joint influence in distributing the forms of vegetable life upon 
 the surface of the globe. 
 
 556. But man has been a voluntary agent in effecting the 
 same object, with reference to those plants which are serviceable 
 f;;r food and clothing, or as articles of luxury and ornament, or 
 fur building purposes. 
 
 557. " The date-palm has been introduced from Africa into the south 
 of Spain. The grape-vine, now so common in western Europe, has been 
 n.ituralized from western Asia. The coffee-bush, native to the higlilands 
 of Etliiopia, was taken thence to the scene of its present cultivation, the 
 southern part of the Arabian peninsula; and the culture of the tea-plant, 
 indigenous to China, has recently been attempted with success in the south 
 of France. Rice, known in the southern regions of Asia from the remotest 
 antiquity ; the valuable bread-fruit tree, indigenous in the same district, 
 and in the Polynesian islands; and the more important cereals, wheat, 
 barley, oats, and rye, have all been transferred from the old world to tho 
 new, since the discovery of the latter by Europeans." 
 
 558. " In return, the old world has received from the new, maize or In- 
 dian corn, and the potato, the cultivation of which extends from Lapland to 
 
 Questions.— SM. How distributed by animals? 555. By birds? 556. What kinds of 
 plants haw ^^een distributed by the voluntary agency of man? 
 
FOOD PLANTS. ITo 
 
 tlie extremity of Africa. Our principal fruit trees appear to have traveled 
 into Europe and Great Britain from Syria; the damson plum, with the dam-^ 
 ask rose, as their names import, from the neighborhood of Damascus ; the 
 cherry from Pontus ; the walnut and the peach from Persia ; the apricot 
 from Armenia ; the citron, lemon, and orange from the warmer parts of 
 Asia."* 
 
 /^ LESSON III. 
 
 FOOD PLANTS. 
 
 559. Man, in almost every country, has selected annual plants 
 for food ; that is, such plants as complete their whole vegetative 
 processes within the course of a few months. These, for the most 
 part, possess a subterraneous and usually tuberous stem, which 
 sends up shoots above the soil ; after some time, flowers appear, 
 and afterward fruit. During the remainder of the year, the plants 
 sleep, as it were, beneath a protecting coverlet of earth, and are 
 thus beyond the influence of excessive heat or cold. By the 
 cultivation of these plants, man has rendered himself independent 
 of the destroying action of the dry season in semi-tropical re- 
 gions, and of .the killing influence of the winter cold in higher 
 latitudes. It is remarkable that there are only three arborescent 
 vegetables in the whole world which can be included among the 
 true food-plants, namely, the bread-fruit, the cocoa-nut, and the 
 date, and these have become subject to culture, and furnish, in 
 certain regions, the chieT articles of food for large bodies of men. 
 
 560. The following are the principal food-plants. The species 
 of the grains, or cereal grasses, which prevail, in the Old World, 
 are barley, oats, rye, wheat, rice, millet, sorghum, and the olive ; 
 of the tree-kind, the date-palm, banana, cocoa-nut, bread-fruity 
 batatas, and the pandanus. Those which have their origin in 
 the New World, are the potato, maize, manioc, and arrow-root. 
 The food-plants cultivated, to some extent in both continents, are 
 
 Questions. — 559. What plants has man selected for his food ? What is said of theso 
 plants? Which are the only three arborescent vegetables included among the true food- 
 plants 1 560. What species of food-plants prevail in the Old World ? The trees ? What 
 epecicB have their origin in the New "World ? What food-plants are cultivated to Bom« 
 extent in both continents ? 
 
 * Kev. Thomas Milner. 
 
176 FOOD PLANTS. 
 
 those producing sugar, coffee, tea, grapes, cocoa, pepper, cinnamon^ 
 nutmegs, cloves, and cassia. 
 
 561. The regions over which these plants are distributed may 
 be seen by inspection of Map 4. They range from the poles 
 toward the equator in the following order. Barley, which has 
 the widest distribution of all the cerealia, is cultivated from the 
 extreme limits of culture in Lapland, to the heights immediately 
 beneath the equator ; but it is only in a narrow zone of the north- 
 ern hemisphere that it is reared as the sole bread-grain. Beside 
 it, appear Rye and Oats; the former, the most common bread-grain 
 in Norway, Sweden, Finland, and in the northern part of Russia ; 
 the latter, extensively cultivated throughout northern Europe. 
 These grains are also produced in North America, though chiefly 
 confined to British America and the northern part of the United 
 States. 
 
 562. Wheat is the most commonly cultivated cereal in Great 
 Britain, Germany, France, and a wide range toward the east in- 
 cluding the whole of the region of the Caspian. In the basin of 
 the Mediterranean, and throughout North America, it is associ- 
 ated with maize. Its northern limit in America is unknown ; 
 the country being uninhabited. At Cumberland House, one of 
 the stations of the Hudson Bay Company, in 54° north latitude, 
 there are fields of wheat, barley, and Indian corn. Wheat 
 thrives luxuriantly in Chile and Rio de la Plata, at elevations of 
 8,500 and 10,000 feet above the level of the sea. It even pro- 
 duces grain, in sheltered situations, on thfe banks of Lake Titica- 
 ca, in the Peru-Bolivian Andes, at the absolute height of 12,795 
 feet above the sea-level. Buckwheat is a plant of tolerably exten- 
 sive culture in the northern temperate zone. It is a native of 
 Asia, from whence it was brought into Europe, in the fifteenth 
 century. 
 
 563. Maize or Indian Corn is much cultivated in Europe and 
 America, south of the 47th parallel of latitude. In the United 
 States, great attention is paid to the culture of this grain, of which 
 there were produced, in 1850, over 592 million bushels. Rice 
 
 $?«e«<iores.— 561. What is the region of barley ? Eye? Oats? 662. Wh«?at? Its north- 
 em limit in America ? At what elevation does it grow In South America? Buckwheat ? 
 668. Maize or Indian com ? Eice ? What does its cultivation require ? 
 
FOOD PLANTS. 177 
 
 has been cultivated in the southern regions of Asia from the 
 earliest ages. It constitutes the staple food of the inhabitants 
 of the Indian peninsulas, China, Japan, and the East Indian Isl- 
 ands. Rice is the food of a greater number of human beings 
 than any other grain. It requires excessive moisture, and a iem- 
 perature of 73° at least ; consequently its cultivation is limited 
 to countries between the equator and the 45th parallel. 
 
 564. The Olive in the Old World embraces tw^o zones or 
 bands, north and south of the equator, about 9° in width, from 
 latitude 35° to latitude 44°. The climate of the New World, 
 which is subject to the extremes of heat and cold, is not favor- 
 able to the cultivation of this plant. The Date-Palm yields one 
 of the most nourishing fruits in existence. It grows sponta- 
 neously on the southern slopes of the Atlas chain, on the banks 
 of the Nile, and in the Canary Islands ; its range extends to 
 Palestine and Hindoostan, and it has been introduced into the 
 south of Spain. It is said that each tree yields annually from 
 130 to 260 pounds of fruit, 
 
 565. The Date-Palm is a member of the palm family, and 
 grows chiefly within the tropics. From their noble and stately 
 appearance, palms have been called by Linnaeus, " the princes of 
 the vegetable kingdom." Wine, oil, flax, flour, sugar, and salt, 
 says Humboldt, are the produce of this tribe ; to which Von Mar- 
 tius adds thread, utensils, weapons, food, and habitations. The 
 cultivation of the date-palm is an object of high importance in the 
 countries of the East. In the interior of Barbary, in Egypt, in 
 the more dry districts of Syria, and in Arabia, it is almost the 
 sole article of culture. It is a slow-growing tree. The age of 
 one sixty feet high, it has been estimated, can not be less than 
 300 years. In the country between the Barbary States and the 
 Desert it is so abundant, and so unmixed with any thing else 
 which can be considered as a tree, that this region is called the 
 Land of Dates [Belad-el-Jareed). 
 
 566. The Banana or Plantain, which yields a great amount 
 of nutritious substance, is a native of the southern portion of 
 
 Que*tion».—5&i. The olive 7 Date-Palm ? 665. What is said of the palm family of 
 plants'/ "What do they produce ? What is remarked respecting the cultivation of the 
 date-palm ? 666. The banana or plantain ? Its productiveness ? 
 
178 FOOD PLANTS. 
 
 the Asiatic continent, but has been transplanted into the Indian 
 Archipelago and Africa, and has also found its way into the trop- 
 ical parts of the New World. The fruits weigh, altogether, 
 about 70 or 80 pounds, and the same space which will bear 1,000 
 pounds of potaioes, brings forth, in a much shorter time, 44,000 
 pounds of bananas ; and if we take account of the nutritious 
 matter which this fruit contains, a surface which, sown with 
 wheat, feeds one man, when planted with bananas, affords sus- 
 ienance for twenty-five. 
 
 567. The Cocoa-nut Palm also belongs to inter-tropical climes, 
 flourishing especially on islands and near the sea-shores. It is 
 cultivated nowhere so extensively as in the islands of Ceylon, 
 Sumatra, and Java. This tree grows to the average height of 
 eighty feet. The nuts hang in clusters of a dcr^en each on the 
 top of the tree. The fruit consists externally of strong, tough, 
 stringy filaments resembling coarse oakum, which is formed into 
 coir, and extensively used in the East for making cordage. In- 
 closed within this fibrous mass is the shell, of great firmness, 
 and used for many domestic purposes. While the nut is green, 
 the whole hollow of the shell is filled with an agreeable, sweet- 
 ish, refreshing liquor. When the nut is gathered, a formation of 
 albumen takes place upon the inside of the shell, producing that 
 white, firm, pleasant-tasted, but rather indigestible substance, 
 which is called the kernel of the nut. A tree generally furnishes 
 about 100 nuts. 
 
 568. The Bread-fruit Tree is distributed generally among the 
 Friendly, the Society, and the Caroline Islands. The tree is 
 beautifid, as well as useful, and rises to the height of about forty 
 feet ; when full grown it is from a foot to fifteen inches in diam- 
 eter. The fruit is green, heart-shaped, about nine inches long, 
 and equaling a large melon in size. The nuts, when roasted, 
 are said to be as excellent as the best chestnuts, but it is princi- 
 pally for the fleshy receptacle or pulp that it is valued. When 
 roasted it is soft, tender, and white, resembling the crumb of a 
 loaf, but it must be eaten new or it becomes hard. Others com- 
 pare the flavor to that of a roasted potato. Such is the abundance 
 
 Questions. — 56T. The cocoa-nut palm ? 568. The bread-fruit tree ? Describe the fruit. 
 
FOOD PLANTS. 179 
 
 of the fruit, that two or three trees will suffice for a man's yearly 
 supply, 
 
 569. The Potato is a native of Chile, and was first introduced 
 into Britain from Virginia, by Sir Walter Raleigh, in 1586. Of 
 all the vegetable productions especially adapted for the suste- 
 nance of man it has the widest range, extending according to 
 Humboldt, from the northern extremity of Africa, to Labrador, 
 Iceland, and Lapland. In tropical regions an elevation of 4,000 
 feet is necessary for its growth, 
 
 570. The Cassava or Manioc is a shrub, a native of Brazil. 
 The fleshy roots of this plant yield a nutritious substance, from 
 which we obtain our tapioca. This latter article is a kind of 
 starch, and is capable of being made into excellent puddings ; it 
 is a very wholesome food for children, and for persons whose di- 
 gestive orgr;ns are feeble. A considerable quantity of this prep- 
 aration is exported annually from Brazil to the United States. 
 Arrow Root, which forms a pleasant and useful aliment for chil- 
 dren and invalids, is much cultivated both for domestic use and 
 for exportation in the West India Islands, Surinam, and in some 
 parts of Hindoostan. It is so named from the property it is said 
 to possess of being an antidote to the poisoned arrows of the 
 Indians. 
 
 571 . Sugar- Cane, The range of this plant may be said to ex- 
 tend to all the regions of the torrid zone. In countries where 
 the mean temperature is not less than 64°, it extends to latitude 
 30° on each side of the equator in the New World, and to about 
 latitude 35° or 36° in the Old. The native country of the sugar- 
 cane is China, from whence it was conveyed to Arabia, Nubia, 
 Egypt, and Ethiopia, where it became extensively cultivated. 
 Early in the fifteenth century it first appeared in Europe. Shortly 
 after the discovery of the New World by Columbus, the plant 
 was conveyed to Hayti and Brazil, from the latter of which it 
 gradually spread through the Islands of the West Indies and the 
 southern part of the United States. 
 
 572. Coffee. This bush or tree is a native of the Ethiopian 
 
 •^wesi^'V"'.— 569. The potato? 570. The cassava or manioc ? Arrowroot? 571. Sugar 
 cane ? Of what country is it a native, and into what regions was it successively introduced? 
 572. Coffee? 
 
180 FOOD PLANTS. 
 
 highlands of Africa, whence it has been introduced into Arabia, 
 the East and West Indian Islands, Surinam, Cayenne, and Bra- 
 zil. The tree grows upright with a single stem, covered with a 
 light-brown bark, to the height of from eight to twelve feet, and 
 has long, undivided, slender, horizontal branches, which cross 
 each other. These are furnished with evergreen, opposite leaves,' 
 not unlike those of the bay tree. The flowers grow in clusters 
 at the root of the leaves, and close to the branches. They are 
 of a pure white, and of an agreeable odor. The fruit, which is 
 a berry, grows in clusters along the branches, under the axils 
 of the leaves. Each berry contains two seeds. 
 
 57.3. Tea consists of the dried leaves of the tea tree, which is 
 indigenous to China and Japan. It was first imported by the 
 Dutch in 1610, and was brought into England in 1666. "The 
 tea country" in China is situated on the eastern side between 
 the 30th and 33d parallel of north latitude. A species of holly, 
 called Paraguay Tea, grows spontaneously in the forests of Par- 
 aguay, and yields a beverage called Mate in Brazil. 
 
 574. The Vine comes to perfection in Europe as far north as 
 latitude 50^ or 52°; but its profitable culture does not extend 
 much beyond latitude 48°, — the best wines being produced be- 
 tween the 30° and 45° north latitude. Its range in America is 
 much more limited, a difference of 10° occurring between its 
 limits in the Old and in the New World. The Fig is the fruit 
 of a small tree with broad leaves. It is produced in India, Tur- 
 key, Greece, France, Spain, Italy, and northern Africa ; but the 
 best figs come from Turkey. The Cocoa, or Chocolate-tree, grows 
 spontaneously in several of the countries of tropical America; 
 i's fruit resembles a cucumber, the seeds of which furnish a sub- 
 stance from which chocolate is prepared. / 
 K 
 
 Questions.— 5T3. Tea ? Paraguay tea ? 6T4. The vine ? Fig ? The cocoa or chocolate- 
 tree ? 
 
ANIMALS. 181 
 
 LESSON IV. ' 
 
 ANIMALS. 
 
 575. The animal kingdom is supposed to comprehend about 
 250,000 distinct species, of which, however, an immense pro- 
 portion belong to the insect class. Its members are arranged in 
 four grand divisions, namely : 1. Vertebrated animals. 2. Mol- 
 luscous animals. 3. Articulated animals. 4. Radiated animals. 
 
 576. Vertebrated animals are those which have a vertebral 
 column, or back-bone. This class is subdivided into four orders : 
 1. Mammalia, or animals which suckle their young. 2. Birds. 
 3. Reptiles. 4. Fishes. 
 
 577. Mammalia, or mammiferous quadrupeds, stand at the head of the 
 animal creation, and are distributed into eight groups ; though they differ 
 vastly in appearance and habit, they nevertlieless correspond in one partic- 
 ular, that of suckling their young. The groups, ■with some of their types, 
 areas follows: 1. Quadrumana (four-handed), — monkeys, apes. 2. Car- 
 nivora (flesh-eaters), — cat, hyena, lion, bear, civet, glutton, mole. 3. 
 Marsupialia (pouched), — opossum, kangaroo, wombat. 4. Rodentia (gnaw* 
 ers), — beaver, porcupine, squirrel. 5. Edentata (toothless), sloth, arma- 
 dillo, ornithorynchus. 6. Pachydermata (thick-skinned), — elephant, rhi- 
 noceros, hippopotamus, zebra, tapir, horse, ass, boar, and badger. 7. Runii- 
 nantia (cliewing the cud), — camel, ox, goat, sheep, deer, antelope, giraffe. 
 8. Cetacea (belonging to whales), — whale, dolphin, norwhal, seal, poi-poise. 
 
 578. Birds are distributed into the following six divisions : 1. Rapaces — 
 Birds of prey; 2. Scansores — Climbers; 3. Oscines— Songsters ; 4. Gal- 
 linacecB — Hen-like birds {gallina, a hen) ; 5. Grallatores — Waders ; 6. 
 JSTatatores — Swimmers. The known number of species is upward of 6.000. 
 
 579. Reptiles are distributed into four divisions, as follows : 1. Chelonia 
 (Tortoises) ; 2, Sauria (Lizards) ; 3. OpJddia (Serpents) ; 4. Batrachia 
 (Frogs). 
 
 580. Molluscous, or soft-bodied animals, are those which have 
 no bones, but whose, muscles are attached to a soft skin, which 
 is inclosed, with {ew exceptions, in a hard case or shell. In this 
 
 Questions.— 6X5. How many distinct species is the animal kingdom supposed to com- 
 prehend ? Into what four grand divisions are ils members arranged ? 5T6. What are the 
 vertel)rated animals? How is this class subdivided ? 677. What is said of Ihe mammalia? 
 Into what eight groups are they divided ? 578. Into what six divisions are birds distrib- 
 uted? 579. Into what four are reptiles? 6S0. W^hat are molluscous or soft-bodied ani- 
 mals ? What six orders does this class include ? 
 
182 DISTRIBUTION OF ANIMALS. 
 
 class there are six orders : 1. Includes those which have their 
 heads furnished with feet, as the cuttle-fish, nautilus, etc. 2. 
 Those of wing-like feet, as the clio, the chief food of the whale. 
 3. Those creeping on the stomach, — the slug, snail, limpet, and 
 whelk. 4. Headless, as the oyster, muscle. 5. Arm-like feet, 
 as bivalve shells. 6. Thread-like feet, as the barnacle. 
 
 581. Articulated animals are those in which the body is divi- 
 ded into joints or rings, sometimes hard and sometimes soft, which 
 supply the place of a skeleton ; this class consists of four orders : 
 
 1 . Anelides, or ringed worms, as worms, leeches, and centipedes. 
 
 2. Crustacea, animals covered with shells, as crabs, lobsters, 
 shrimps, and locusts. 3. Spiders, scorpions. 4. Insects of va- 
 rious families, as flies, bees, wasps, and butterflies. 
 
 582. Radiated animals are so called because they have their 
 organs arranged like rays proceeding from a center : they are 
 also called zoophytes or animal plants, from their resemblance to 
 some families of vegetable forms. This class contains five or- 
 ders, which include star-Jishes, sea-urchins, sea-nettles, corals, 
 7p,adrepores, infusoria, and microscopic animals. 
 
 LESSON V. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION' OF ANIMALS. 
 
 583. Animals exhibit a wonderful diversity in their organiza- 
 tions, from the gigantic forms of the elephant and whale to the 
 atom so minute that the strongest magnifying-glass is required 
 to detect its individual existence. By the use of the micro- 
 scope it is ascertained that every leaf of the forest, flower of the 
 garden, and drop of water, teems with myriads of living beings, 
 utterly inappreciable by the unaided senses of man, yet perfectly 
 organized according to their grade. The variety of form, size, 
 strength, and uses, found among animals, with their adaptation to 
 every existing climate and soil, are evidences of the power, wis- 
 
 Qtiestions. — 5S1. What aro articulated animals? Of how many, and what, orders does 
 this class consist? 5S3. Why are radiated animals so called ? By what other names are 
 they also called ? What animals are included in this class ? 583. What is said of the di- 
 versity in the organization of animals ? 
 
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DISTEIBUTIOIT OF ANIMALS. 183 
 
 dom, and goodness of the Creator ; for, while some beasts of 
 prey with poisonous reptiles, and mischievous insects, are only ' 
 scourges to the human race, the greater number of the animal 
 tribes are subject to the control of man, and contribute essentially 
 to his subsistence and comfort. 
 
 584. It is in the regions within the tropics that we find ani- 
 mal life, like vegetable existence, most intensely developed, 
 whether we consider the number of individual, or of species, or 
 the qualities of size and strength. The coral-forming tribes, 
 which belong to the lowest or radiated order, are chiefly confined 
 to those parts of the ocean which lie in the torrid zone. (For 
 an account of the structures of these animals, see Lesson V., 
 Part I.) Of the molluscous class, marine shell-fish, of unim- 
 portant size and appearance in cold latitudes, become larger and 
 finer on approaching the equatorial seas. Among articulated an- 
 imals, the arachnidae, spiders and scorpions, attain an enormous 
 size in the torrid zone ; the butterflies are magnificent ; and the 
 insect class, in general, occur in such numbers, as frequently to 
 become formidable, laying waste the earth, and driving nations 
 before them. The termites, or white ants of India and Africa, 
 erect pyramids of clay to the height of ten or twelve feet, suffi- 
 ciently compact to sustain the weight of several men, — far nore 
 wonderful works, in proportion to the size of the builders, than 
 the pyramids of Egypt. 
 
 585. No part of the world is so remarkable for the profusion 
 of insect life as the regions of the Orinoco, and other great riv- 
 ers of tropical America. Humboldt informs us that at no season 
 of the year, at no hour of the day or night, can rest be found 
 there, and that whole districts in the upper Orinoco are deserted 
 on account of these insects. Diff'erent species follow one another 
 with such precision, that the time of day or night may be known 
 accurately from their humming noise, and from the different sen- 
 sations of pain which the difterent poisons produce. The only 
 respite is the interval of a few minutes between the departure 
 of one gang and the arrival of their successors, for the species 
 
 Questions — 534. "Where is animal life most intensely developed ? What is said of the 
 coral-formine tribes? Of the molluscous class? Of the articulated animals ? 585. Profusion 
 of insect life m tropical countries? 
 
18i DISTKIBUTION OF ANIMALS. 
 
 do not mix. On some parts of the Orinoco the air is one dense 
 cloud of poisonous insects to the height of 20 feet. 
 
 586. Among vertebrated animals, the reptiles are especially 
 numerous and formidable in this zone, — as the crocodile of Africa, 
 the gaival of India, and the alligator of America, — and the serpent 
 tribe, some distinguished by their prodigious length and power, 
 the python of India, and the boa of America, and others of smaller 
 proportions, armed with a poison of a peculiar deadiincss, the 
 hooded snake of Asia, the cerastes of Africa, and the rattlesnake 
 of America. The birds here are of the most beautiful forms, 
 splendid colors, and largest dimensions, — as the graceful birds 
 of Paradise, inhabiting New Guinea ; the parrot tribe of Brazil, 
 the ostrich of Africa, and the cassowary of Australia. The mam- 
 miferous quadrupeds are likewise found, in tropical regions, in 
 the greatest variety, including the most colossal, the elephant, 
 rhinoceros, hippopotamus, and giraffe ; and the most sanguinary, 
 the lion, tiger, leopard, panther, ounce, hyena, puma, and jaguar. 
 
 587. The animal tribes of the temperate and cold regions are, 
 with a few exceptions, distinguished for their positive utility to 
 man. Advancing from the equator toward the pole, they are 
 found, as a general rule, gradually to diminish in number, magni- 
 tude, and ferocity. The insects of temperate regions are much 
 smaller in size than their tropical fellows, and except in the hot- 
 test parts of the year, and in marshy localities, they produce lit- 
 tle inconvenience. The great voracious reptiles totally disappear, 
 and the venomous serpents are few and upon a lesser scale. The 
 birds of two families, swimmers and waders, chiefly subsisting 
 upon fish, increase in numbers with the distance from the equa- 
 tor ; the songsters likewise have more melodious notes in tem- 
 perate than in tropical countries ; but all the varieties are marked 
 with greater simplicity of coloring. 
 
 588. In the temperate and cold regions the quadrupeds of the 
 carnivorous class are chiefly represented by the lynx, wild-cat, 
 
 QuesiioiM. — 586. What is sniil of Ihe vertebr:itt'(l animals of tropical regions ? Exam- 
 ples? E.xamplfS of larg;e mammifenus qtiadnipe'ls ? 5S7. For what are the animal 
 tribes of Ihe temperate and coM regions dislinsuished ? Tlie insects of these r^giims? 
 The reptiles? The birds? 588. "What animals in ihe temperate and cold re£rii>iis repn- 
 B'.'Ht the carnivorous class? Therodents? The ruminants? Thecetacea? Whatanimals 
 are restricted to the coldest climates 1 What to the hottest? 
 
DISTRIBUTION OF ANIMALS. 185 
 
 weasel, fox, wolf, and bear ; the rodents, or gnawing animals, 
 by the porcupine, squirrel, rat, mouse, hare, and beaver ; the ru- 
 minants, which chew the cud, by various species of the ex, sheep, 
 goat, and deer tribes ; and the cetacea, inhabitants of the ocean, 
 by the porpoise, seal, walrus, narwhal, and whale. The herbiv- 
 orous reindeer, elk, and musk ox ; and the carnivorous Arctic 
 fox and white polar bear, are restricted to the coldest climates, 
 as the herbivorous rhinoceros and elephant and carnivorous tiger 
 and hyena are to the hottest. 
 
 589. The animals of temperate and cold districts are generally 
 remarkable for a tendency to be gregarious or social. Wolves 
 often hunt in packs ; beavers form a colony ; the wUd goats and 
 mountain sheep, with the domestic breeds, associate in flocks ; 
 the bison, or American buflalo, is rarely seen solitary on the 
 plains of the Missouri, but has membership with a vast herd ; 
 and the reindeer, with other species of the tribe, have eminently 
 the same characteristics. The gregarious tendency of some 
 kinds of fish is observed in the immense shoals of herrings and 
 mackerel that visit our coasts, and the salmon and shad that flock 
 into our rivers, at certain seasons of the year. Many !;inds of 
 birds are remarkably gregarious, of which the wild pigeon of 
 America is an example. 
 
 590. Animals are adapted to different climates and diverse 
 physical circumstances, by clothing, differing in quantity and 
 quality. The quadrupeds of the torrid zone are furnished only 
 with a coat of short and thin hair ; but with increasing latitudes, 
 soft and abundant fleeces become common ; while, in still colder 
 regions, the beaver, sable, ermine, and bear are supplied with the 
 thickest furs. The aquatic tribes of birds which swim in the 
 cold waters of high latitudes, are supplied with a compact coat 
 of oily feathers, which abound most upon the breast, as it, in 
 swimming, first meets and cleaves the cold fluid. The whale 
 and walrus, which permanently dwell in the cold ocean, derive 
 protection from the chilling waters by the enormous amount of 
 blubber, a bad conductor, which surrounds their bodies. 
 
 Questions.— hS9. For what are the .Tnimals of the temperate and cold regions remark- 
 able? Illustrate, 590. What is said of the adaptation of animals to different climates? 
 Illustrate. 
 
186 ZOOLOGICAL KEQIONS. 
 
 LESSON VI. 
 
 ZOOLOGICAL REGIONS. 
 
 591. The peculiarities which distinguish the animals of the 
 warm, the temperate, and the cold parts of the earth were briefly 
 explained in the preceding lesson. It must not be inferred, how- 
 ever, that the same species are found in the same latitudes, or 
 in countries which possess the same temperature.* Different re- 
 gions ure characterized by distinct species of animals as well as 
 vegetables. It was observed by Buffon that " when America 
 was discovered, its indigenous quadrupeds were all dissimilar to 
 those previously known in the Old World. The elephant, the rhi- 
 noceros, the hippopotamus, the camelopard, the camel, the drom- 
 edary, the buffalo (Asiatic), the horse, the ass, the lion, the tiger, 
 the apes, the baboons, and a number of other mammalia, were no- 
 where to be met with on the new continent ; while in the old, 
 tho American species of the same great class were nowhere to 
 be seen — the tapir, the lama, the peccary, the jaguar, the couguar, 
 the agouti, the paca, the coati, and the sloth." 
 
 592. The earth has been divided by naturalists into ten zoo- 
 logical regions. First, the European region, which comprehends, 
 besides Europe, the borders of the Mediterranean, and even the 
 north of Africa, and extends into Asia, beyond the Ural mountains 
 and the Caspian. The bear, the fox, the hare, the rabbit, and 
 the deer are among the animals which belong to this district. 
 
 Note. — It is important to bear in mind that the same name is often ap- 
 plied, in different countries, to animals of different species. Thus in North 
 America are found bears, foxes, rabbits, and deer ; but they are of difiFereni 
 species from those of Europe. The buffaloes which roam in vast herds over 
 the prairies of America are very unlike those of India ; and the species of 
 India and America differ greatly from the Cape buffalo of Southern Africa. 
 
 593. Secondly. The African region is inhabited by many an- 
 imals not found elsewhere. The hippopotamus, for example, the 
 
 Questions.— o^\. What must not be inferred respecting the species of different countries 
 in the same latitudes? What was observed by Buffon? 592. Into how many zoological 
 regions has the eurlh been divided ? What countries does the European region compre- 
 hend, and what animals belong to it? 593. What animals are exclusively African? Which 
 of the African animals are common to Asia ? Uow does the elephant of Africa differ from 
 that of India ? 
 
ZOOLOGICAL REGIONS. 18'f 
 
 giraffe, the chimpanzee, the blue-faced baboon, and the four-fingered 
 monkey, are exclusively African. A few of the species inhabiting* 
 the northern confines of this continent, such as the dromedary, 
 lion, and jackal, are common to Asia. The elephant of Africa is 
 smaller, has a head more nearly round, and larger ears than that 
 of India, and has only three instead of four nails on each hind 
 foot. In like manner, not one of the three African species of the 
 rhinoceros agrees with any of the three kinds found iii India. 
 
 594. Thirdly. The Southern region of Africa, where that 
 continent extends into the temperate zone, constitutes another 
 separate zoological province. This region is cut off from the 
 countries of milder climate in the northern hemisphere by the in- 
 tervening torrid zone. Here may be found peculiar species of the 
 rhinoceros, the hog, and the hyrax, among the thick-skinned 
 races ; and among the ruminating, the Cape buffalo, and a variety 
 of remarkable antelopes, as the springbok, the oryx, the gnou, 
 and several others. 
 
 595. Fourthly. The island of Madagascar, though separated 
 from Africa by a channel only 300 miles wide, forms another 
 province, all the species, except one, being peculiar. This dis- 
 trict is distinguished by the number of monkeys of the Lemur 
 family which inhabit it. 
 
 596. Fifthly. Another of the great nations of terrestrial mam- 
 malia is that of India, containing a great variety of peculiar forms, 
 such as the sloth-bear, the musk-deer, the nylghau, the gibbon 
 or long-armed ape, and many others. Sixthly. A portion of the 
 Indian Archipelago, embracing the large islands of Java, Suma- 
 tra, and Borneo. A few of the species inhabiting these islands 
 are common to the continent of India, but most of them are 
 distinct. 
 
 597. Seventhly. The islands of Celebes, Amboina, and New 
 Guinea constitute another region, in which are foimd many mar- 
 supial quadrupeds. Of this region Lyell remarks : " As we pro- 
 
 Questionf. — 594. What is said of the southern repon of Africa? What animals are 
 peculiar here? 595. What is said of the island of Madagascar? 596. What forms are 
 peculiar to India? What is said of the species inliabiting the Indian archipelago? 597. 
 Of the islands of Celebes, Amboina, and New Guinea? What does Lyell lemarli: of this 
 regjoa ? 
 
188 ZOOLOGICAL EEGIONS. 
 
 ceed in a southwesterly direction, from Celebes to Amboina and 
 thence to New Guinea, we find the Indian types diminishing in 
 number, and the Australian (j. e., marsupial forms) increasing. 
 Thus in New Guinea seven species of pouched quadrupeds have 
 been detected, and among them two singular iree-kangaroos ; yet 
 only one species of the whole seven, viz , tbc flymg opossum, is 
 common to the Indian archipelago and the mainland of Australia." 
 
 598. Eighthly. When Aw^irw/zo was discovered, its land quad- 
 rupeds belonged almost exclusively to the marsupial or pouched 
 tribe, such as the kangaroos, wombats, flying opossums, kangaroo- 
 rats, and others. From recent investigations it has been ascer- 
 tained that there are no less than 170 species of marsupial 
 quadrupeds, and of the whole number all but thirty-two are ex- 
 clusively restricted to Australia. 
 
 599. Ninthly. North America constitutes another vast zoo- 
 logical province, inhabited by species of annuals very rarely 
 identical with those of Europe or Asia. The influence of cli- 
 mate in limiting the range of animals is here conspicuously dis- 
 played. The animals of the state of New York are of quite a 
 difl'erent species from those of the arctic regions, and also from 
 those of South Carolina and Georgia. Among the quadrupeds 
 which inhabit the northern part of the continent, are the musk- 
 ox, polar-bear, and reindeer, besides numerous species of fur- 
 bearing animals. The grizzly bear, the largest and most ferocious 
 of its kind, inhabits the range of the Rocky Mountams ; and the 
 American buffalo roams in herds of thousands over the prairies 
 which extend west from the head waters of the Mississippi. 
 
 600. Tenthly. South America is the most distinct, with the 
 exception of Australia, of all the provinces into which the mam- 
 malia can be classed geographically. The monkey tribe, which 
 are very numerous in the forests of Brazil, differ widely from 
 those in the Old World ; many of them having prehensile tails, 
 and all being noted for their widely separated nostrils. The 
 sloths and armadilloes, the true blood-sucking bats or vampires, 
 and many other animals, are peculiar to South America. 
 
 Que>-tion.i.—50S. What is said of ihe land quadrupeils inhabiting Australia on its dis- 
 covery? 599. What is said of the animals of North America? Of the influence of climate 
 in limiting the ranjre of animals? Name some of the principal quadrupeds of this divt- 
 eion. 600. What is said of Bouth America? Illustrate. 
 
MAN. 189 
 
 LESSON VII, 
 
 601. The number of the human race is variously estimated 
 from 600 to 1,000 millions. The impossibility of stating it with 
 any degree of precision arises from the fact, that in but few coun- 
 tries is any enumeration of the inhabitants ever made ; while there 
 are vast and populous regions which have scarcely been visited 
 by civilized man. The best opinion appears to be that 900 rail- 
 lions is a close approximation to the real number. 
 
 602. Mankind, pre-eminently distinguished from the lower ani- 
 mals by the high endowments of reason, conscience, and speech, 
 also differ from them in consisting only of a single species. 
 They are geographically diffused through almost every climate, 
 from the hottest to the most frigid. Under the scorching rays 
 of a tropical sun, upon the banks of the Senegal, the human 
 body supports a heat which causes alcohol to boil ; and in the 
 polar regions of northeast Asia it resists a cold which freezes 
 quicksilver. 
 
 603. Few lands have been discovered destitute of a native hu- 
 man population. Iceland, Spitzbergen, Nova Zembla, Madeira, 
 the Azores, St. Helena, the Falkland Isles, and South Shetlands, 
 some groups in the Pacific Ocean, as the Galapagos Isles, and a 
 large number of small islets, with all the lands within the Ant- 
 arctic circle, were uninhabited when first made known to Euro- 
 pean nations, but have, in several instances, since been colonized. 
 The range of man extends from the 75th parallel of north lati- 
 tude to the 55th of south latitude. The most northern dwellers 
 are the Esquimaux, on the shores of Baffin's Bay ; the most 
 southern are the inhabitants of Tierra del Fuego, 
 
 G04. On man's capability of accommodating himself to a great diversity 
 of circumstances, Dr. Paley remarks : " The human animal is the only one 
 which is naked, and the only one which can clothe itself. This is one of the 
 
 Questions. — 601. How is the number of the human nice variously estimated ? Most 
 probable number? 602. How are mankind distinguisheJ frcrm the lower animuls? What 
 is said of their wide diffusion? COS. What regions were uninhabited when first made 
 known to Europeans ? Between what parallels does the range of man extend ? 604, 605. 
 Give the substance of Dr. Paley's remarks. 
 
190 KACES OF.MEN. 
 
 properties ■which renders him an animal of all climates and of all seasons. 
 He can adapt the warmth or lightness of his covering to the temperature 
 of his habitation. Had he been born 'with a fleece upon his back, although 
 he might have been comforted by its warmth in high latitudes, it would 
 have oppressed him by its weight and heat as the species spread toward 
 the equator. 
 
 605. " Within the tropics, where a vegetable diet is found to be most 
 grateful and conducive to health, nature supplies, in the greatest abund- 
 ance, the most valuable vegetable productions. In the temperate regions, 
 animal food is more or less abundant ; and the various kinds of grain, roots, 
 and fruit, afford plentiful and wholesome nutriment. As we approach the 
 polar regions, grains and fruit gradually disappear, and animal food be- 
 comes more and more exclusively used, until we reach the Samoieds and 
 Esquimaux, who are unacquainted with bread." 
 
 LESSON VIII. 
 
 RACES OF MEN. 
 
 606. We are informed in the Sacred Scriptures that it pleased 
 the Almighty Creator to make of one blood all the nations of the 
 earth, and that all mankind are the offspring of common parents. 
 Though differing greatly in form, stature, features, and complex- 
 ion, the members of the human race are found to possess no 
 specific differences, — the hideous Esquimaux, the refined and 
 intellectual Caucasian, the thick-lipped Negro, and the fair, blue- 
 eyed Scandinavian being mere varieties of the same species. 
 
 607. Classifications of mankind have been based upon differ- 
 ences in the color of the skin, hair, and eyes, and the form of the 
 skull. Taking the color of the hair as the characteristic, there 
 are three principal varieties of mankind : first, the Melanic* or 
 black class, which includes all individuals or races having black 
 hair ; second, the Xanthous,\ or fair class, comprising those who 
 have brown, auburn, flaxen, or red hair ; third, the Alhino,\. or 
 white variety, including those whose hair is of a pure white, and 
 who have red eyes. 
 
 Questions. — ^606. What do Ihe Sacred Scriptures infurm us? 607. Upon what have das- 
 si ficalions been based? What are the three varieties distinguished by the color of the hair? 
 
 * Melanic, from the Greek melan, black, t XANxnotrs, from the Greek xanthos, yelloTV. 
 i Albino, from the Latin cUbris, white. 
 
KAOES OF MENi 
 
 lai 
 
 ■\^~- 
 
 608. Taking the shape of the skull as the basis of a classifica- 
 tion, mankind are divided into five grand classes, or races — the 
 Caucasian, INIoiigolian, Ethiopic, American, and Malay. 
 
 609. In the Caucasian 
 race, the head is common- 
 ly of the most symmetrical 
 shape, almost round ; the 
 forehead of moderate ex- 
 tent ; the cheek-bones ra- 
 ther narrow, without any 
 projection; the face straight 
 and oval with the features 
 tolerably distinct ; the nose 
 narrow, and slightly arch- 
 ed ; the mouth small, with 
 the lips a little turned out, 
 especially the lower one ; and the chin full and rounded. 
 
 610. The most perfect examples of this variety are found in 
 the regions of western Asia, bordering on Europe, which, skirt 
 the southern foot of the Caucasus mountains, from whence the 
 class derives its name, and which is near what is supposed to 
 be the parent spot of the human race. Here are the Circassians 
 and Georgians, among whom are found the most exquisite models 
 of female beauty. 
 
 611. The Caucasian race comprises the ancient and modern 
 inhabitants of Europe, except the Laplanders and Finns, the 
 Turks, and the Magyars of Hungarj". It comprises also the in- 
 habitants of western Asia, as far as the river Ganges, the Afri- 
 cans who live on the shores of the Mediterranean, the Egyptians 
 and Abyssinians, with those Europeans who colonized America, 
 and other parts of the world. 
 
 612. In the Mongolian race the hair is coarse, straight, and 
 black, the eyes rise in an oblique line from the nose to the tem- 
 ples, the arches of the eyebrows are scarcely to be perceived, 
 
 Que*tions.-~(>Q9i. Into ■what classes are mankind divided, taking the shape of the slnill 
 as the basis of a classification ? 609. Describe the Caucasipn race. 610. Where are the most 
 perfect examples of this variety found ? 611. What people belong to this race ? 612. 
 Describe the Mongolian race. 
 
193 
 
 EACES OF MEN. 
 
EACES OF MEN, 
 
 193 
 
 and the face is broad and flat, with the parts imperfectly distin- 
 guished. The complexion is generally of a tawny or olive color, 
 which is described as in- 
 termediate between that of 
 wheat and of dried orange 
 peel, varying from a tawny 
 white to a swarthy or dusky 
 yellow. 
 
 !_§S 
 
 ,\ 
 
 
 613. This division em- 
 braces the tribes that occu- 
 py the central, east, north, 
 and southeast parts of Asia ; 
 the people of China and 
 Japan, of Tibet, ^ootan, 
 and Indo-China, the Finns, Laplanders, and Hungarians of Eu- 
 rope, and the Esquimaux on the shores of the Arctic Ocean. 
 A portion of this family is distinguished for a considerable de- 
 gree of culture, especially the Chinese and Japanese, but owing 
 to their exclusive social system, which has separated them from 
 the rest of mankind, they have made but little progress for ages. 
 
 614. The Ethiopic race have black eyes, 
 black woolly hair, flat noses, thick lips, 
 and a projecting upper jaw. 
 head is retreating, and the head 
 less globular than that of the 
 European. The best examples 
 of this race are the negroes 
 south of the Sahara, in Upper 
 and Lower Guinea, Soudan, 
 and Nubia. The natives of 
 Senegambia and the Kaffres of 
 the southeastern part of Africa 
 resemble others of this race in 
 their jet-black color, and some 
 of their features, but they are taller 
 proportioned than the rest. 
 
 more slender, and better 
 
 Qiie-stiona.— 613. What people are comprised in this division ? 614 Describe the Ethi- 
 opic race. Where are the best examples found ? 
 
1-94 
 
 KACES OF MEN". 
 
 615. The nations of this race are widely dispersed; they oc- 
 cupy all Africa south of the Great Desert and Abyssinia, Aus- 
 tralia, the greater part of Borneo, and several other islands in 
 the Indian Archipelago. To this race belong also the negroes in 
 America, who were originally brought from Africa, and who have 
 multiplied in the New World to a vast extent. 
 
 616. The American race are distinguish- mi^^ 
 ed by a copper-colored complexion, long, 
 coarse, coal-black hair (which is never 
 crisped like that of the African, or cxirled, 
 as that of the white sometimes is), prom- 
 inent cheek-bones, broad 
 face, and a scantiness of 
 beard. Their senses of 
 sight, hearing, and smell 
 are remarkably acute. In 
 war and the chase they 
 are indefatigable; but they 
 are averse to regular and 
 mechanical labor. They 
 are cold and phlegmatic in temperament, and manifest an cvtra- 
 ordinary insensibility to bodily pain. 
 
 617. The native American tribes and nations, excepting the 
 Esquimaux, belong to this class. The Indian tribes of North 
 America are fast disappearing before the spread of the white 
 man, being now confined principally to the unsettled regions 
 west of the Mississippi. Among the most warlike of these 
 tribes, are the Sioux and Camanches. The Indians of South 
 America are in a most abject condition, indolent, and destitute of 
 that nei've and spirit which distinguish their brethren of the 
 north. 
 
 618. In the Malay class, the top of the head is slightly nar- 
 rowed ; the face is broader than that of the negro ; the features 
 are generally more prominent ; the hair is black ; the color 
 of the skin is tawny, but sometimes approaching to that of ma- 
 
 Questions.— 615. What is said of their wide dispersion ? 616. Describe the American 
 race. 617. What tribes and nations belong to this race? 618. Describe the Malay raea 
 What tribes does this race include ? , 
 
KACES OF MEN. 
 
 195 
 
 hogany. This division 
 embraces the principal 
 tribes of the Indian Archi- 
 pelago, and all the island- 
 ers of the Pacific, ex- 
 cepting those which be- 
 long to the Ethiopic va- 
 riety. 
 
 619. " The diffusion of. 
 mankind over the globe haa 
 transpired in the course of -\^ 
 ages under the influence of ^ 
 various causes. The pressure 
 of population in one district outstripping the means of subsistence, the love 
 of enterprise, the spirit of acquisition, social disturbances, and foreign vio- 
 lence, have contributed to scatter the human family far from the common 
 center where the race originated. Endowed with intelligence to devise 
 means of surmounting natural barriers-mountains, deserts, rivers, lakes, 
 and the ocean,-there is no difficulty in accounting for the geographical 
 range of man. The contiguity of the mainland of northeastern Asia to that 
 of northwestern America, with the nearly-connected chains of the Japan 
 Kurile and Aleutian isles intermediate, point to the New World as having 
 received its original population from the Old in that direction. In modern 
 times, adverse wind, have driven Japanese junks across from one continent 
 to the other ; and, probably, more frequently than we are apt to imagine 
 crews have been compelled to expatriation by the tempest, surviving its perils 
 and colonizing distant isles aad archipelagoes."-i?er. Thomas Milner 
 
Map of 
 
 Tllii.-.-tratiiiA) tlic 
 
 PRODUCTIVE INDUSTRY 
 
 OFV;VlUOUSCOrjrritLES, 
 
 SicccfiiMting ihvpi'incLpaL fCilljcrcs of 
 
 
 Ru s s^i a n 
 
 
 
 -UevitiafV 
 
 AotJivi««»-co |'':;.U n 1 t e 
 NORTH- PACIFIC 
 
 SaiiLlAvioii Islands 
 O C E A N; 
 
 'X^T LAlTT I C "'"^"f 
 Poriuaal 1 
 
 f," ■■, iwWi 
 
 Madeira - }. 
 
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 ^^ \Sesb V""''":"''"",''"'^/..^.; 
 
 .^JTa^tr ..it'H''; .,;., C.V^Aels,'. f" SI 
 
 Galapagos Is . / ""''anada's ~v""e~rJ '^^ \ ■yim'til''' ' 
 
 ralliJknA Is. 
 
 South. Stetlaml^^^ 
 
 ^r^S: 
 
 AiLfftiiaii. Emi 
 Barliary ^ r.. 
 [Beliium 
 uBoln 1,1 
 r,i ,7-il 
 
 rnqland 
 \ I> , land 
 
 STATISTICAL TABLE OF THE PRINCIPAL COUNTRIES 
 
 3(ii7, t;*7 1 s.ooo.ooo: w 
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 206 692 1.106 OOO S 
 
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 150 
 
 120 
 
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 ern^clState^.fortlie.SoxtziiertA 
 
fs?vi 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 CHIEF PRODUCTIONS OF THE EARTH, AND THE COUNTRIES FROM 
 WHICH THEY ARE PRINCIPALLY DERIVED. 
 
 AOATES Sicily, Germany, Scotland ; India ; South Africa. 
 
 Alabastek Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Ireland. 
 
 Almonds Syria ; Northern Africa ; Spain, Portugal, and France. 
 
 Aloes Socotra I. ; Arabia ; East Indies ; Barbadoes. 
 
 Amber Prussia, Sicily ; Mozambique, Madagascar ; Japan. 
 
 Ambeegkis Madagascar ; Guiana ; Java, etc. 
 
 Amethysts Brazil ; Ceylon, India, Siberia ; Germany, Sweden, and Spain. 
 
 Anchovies Northern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, Atlantic coast of 
 
 France and Portugal. 
 
 Anise-seed Spain, Germany ; China. 
 
 Apples Extensively cultivated in most temperate climates, especially in 
 
 the United States. 
 
 Aenotto {otter) West Indies, Guiana, Brazil ; and East Indies. 
 
 Aeeow-eoot South America, "West Indies, Bermuda Is. ; Madeira Is. ; East 
 
 Indies. 
 
 AsPHALTiTM Trinidad I. ; Dead Sea, etc. 
 
 Asatcetida Persia, and those parts of Beloochistan and India near the 
 
 mouth of the Ganges. 
 
 Bamboo > 
 
 J- All intertropical countries. 
 
 Banana ' 
 
 Bakilla United States ; Spain, Sicily ; Canary Is. ; East Indies. 
 
 Barley North America between lat. N. 21° and (50°, and all temperate 
 
 climates. 
 Black-lead (plumhago) North of England. 
 
 Beead-peuit West Indies ; Islands of the Pacific ; East Indies ; Malaysia, etc. 
 
 Buckwheat North America between lat. N. 85° and 60°, and all temperate 
 
 climates. 
 
 Camphor Cochin China ; Japan, Malaysia, etc. 
 
 Caoutchottc {ind. rub.) Central America, Guiana, Brazil, etc. 
 
 Cassia China, Malaysia, East Indies ; and West Indies. 
 
 Chestnuts Mediterranean coasts, Italy, France, Spain, Turkey, etc. 
 
 Cinnamon Ceylon, Cochin Chiija, China ; Brazil, etc. 
 
 Citron Madeira Is. ; Spain, Italy ; Persia, China. 
 
 Civet Brazil, Guiana ; Africa ; Sumatra, East Indies, etc. 
 
 Cloves Molucca Is. ; Guiana, etc. 
 
 Coal (anthracite) Pennsylvania ; Wales, etc. 
 
198 APPENDIX. 
 
 Coal (bituminous) Ohio Valley throughout, Nova Scotia ; Great Britain, Belgium, 
 
 France; Japan; Australia, etc. 
 
 Cobalt Saxony. . 
 
 CocjiixEAL Mexico, Central America, West Indies, etc. 
 
 Cocoa (caeoa) Central America, "West Indies, New Granada, Venezuela, Gui- 
 
 ana,*Ecuador, Brazil, Argentine Eepublic, etc. 
 
 CoooA-s-uTS In all tropical countries. 
 
 Coffee Arabia ; Java ; Brazil ; West Indies ; Mauritius. 
 
 Copper Michigan, Wisconsin, North Carolina, East Tennessee, Cuba, 
 
 Chile ; Great Britain, Sweden ; Siberia, Persia, Japan ; Aus- 
 tralia. 
 
 CoEAL In all parts of the ocean, but most perfect and plentiful in trop- 
 ical countries. 
 
 CoEK Spain, Portugal, France, Italy ; Northern Africa. 
 
 Cotton Southern United States, Brazil; East Indies; Egypt. 
 
 CuKEANTS Ionian Islands, Greece. 
 
 Dates Northern Africa, Egypt ; Arabia, Persia. 
 
 Diamonds Brazil ; Borneo ; East Indies. 
 
 Down {feathers) Iceland, Greenland, Norway, Sweden ; Labrador. 
 
 Ebony India, Ceylon, Malay Peninsula ; Madagascar, Mauritius. 
 
 Emeealds New Granada, Peru, Brazil ; Egypt ; Siberia. 
 
 Figs Turkey, Arabia ; Greece, France, Spain, Italy ; North Africa. 
 
 Flax United States, Canada; Great Britain and Ireland, Eussia, 
 
 Netlierlands, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, etc. 
 
 FtTES Northern parts of America and Asia ; Argentine Kepublic, 8. A. 
 
 FusTio United States, West Indies, South America; Italy, south of 
 
 France, Greece, etc. 
 
 Gall-nuts Asia Minor, Syria, Persia. 
 
 Gamboge Siam, Camboja, etc. 
 
 Garnets United States ; Germany ; Ceylon, Pegu ; Greenland. 
 
 GiNGEE West Indies ; East Indies, China. 
 
 Ginseng United States, Canada ; Chinese Tartary. 
 
 Gold United States ; Australia ; Eussia ; Central and South America, 
 
 Mexico; Siberia; Central Africa; Hungary, Saxony; East 
 
 Indies, etc. 
 
 Grindstones United States, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia ; Europe. 
 
 Guano Peru, Mexico, West Indies ; African Islands, and islands of the 
 
 Pacific Ocean. 
 
 GtJM- ARABIC Arabia, and many parts of Africa. 
 
 GuM-SENEGAL Senegal Island, off the coast of Senegal, Western Africa. 
 
 Gctta-peecea Malay Peninsula, Borneo, Sumatra, Java, and the East Indies 
 
 generally. 
 Gtpstim United States, Nova Scotia ; France, England, etc. 
 
 Hemp Missouri, Kentucky ; Eussia, Italy ; Egypt ; Persia ; Chile, etc. 
 
 Hedes akd Skins South America, Mexico ; Australia ; South Africa ; East Indies ; 
 
 Eussia. 
 
APPENDIX. 199 
 
 Hones Germany and Turkey. 
 
 Hops United States, Canada ; England, G-ermany. 
 
 Indigo West Indies, Mexico, Central America ; East Indies. 
 
 Ipecacuanha Brazil, Venezuela, New Granada, Peru. 
 
 Ikon Great Britain, Kussia, Swed«n ; United States, 
 
 Isinglass Bussia. 
 
 IvoKY Africa generally; East Indies, Oochin Chma. 
 
 Jalap Mexico. 
 
 Jkt Germany, France, Spain. 
 
 Lac Dyb East ladies, Malaysia. 
 
 Lead.. Illinois, Wiseoasin, Iowa, Missouri; Great Britain, Germany, 
 
 Spain. 
 
 Leeches Germany, Hungary, Sweden, France. 
 
 Lemons West Indies ; Southern Europe, Azore Is. ; Eastern Asia, etc 
 
 LiQiTOEiCK Spain, Southern Europe. 
 
 Logwood Central America, West Indies. 
 
 Mace Molucca Is., Sumatra ; Mauritius, ete. 
 
 Maddek Holland, Italy, France ; Asia Minor, Afg&aalgtaB, 
 
 Mahogant Cuba, Hay ti, Central America. 
 
 Maize {or Ifidian com) Northern temperate and tropical eonatries. Its eultsire extends 
 from the 50th degree of N. latitude to the 40th S. Jatitude. . 
 
 Manila Hksip Philippine Islaads, East ladies. 
 
 Manna Sicily. 
 
 Marble Italy, Greece ; Egypt ; Siberia ; Great Britaia ; United States. 
 
 Makocoo Turkey ; Northern Africa ; Spain, the Levant, etc. 
 
 Millet Germany, Poland ; India ; Africa. 
 
 Mohaie Asia Minor. 
 
 Molasses AH sugar-prodneing countries. 
 
 Mothek-of-Peakl India, China ; west coast of America. 
 
 MuLBEBET India, China, Persia; the Levant, Italy, Spain, e^ 
 
 MiTSK Siberia, China, and the table-lands of Asia. 
 
 Myekh Arabia; Nubia; East Indies. 
 
 Nickel Germany. 
 
 Nutmegs Molucca Is. ; Sumatra ; Mauritius, etc. 
 
 Nux Vomica Ceylon, Malabar, and Coromandel coasts. 
 
 Oats Chiefly grown 5n cool climates. 
 
 OcHKB United States ; Great Britain, Italy, etc. 
 
 Olives The Levant, Italy, Spain ; Asia Minor ; Brazil. 
 
 Opat, Hungary, Faroe Is., Saxony ; Honduras, South America. 
 
 Opittm Asiatic Turkey ; East Indies. 
 
 Oranges Spain, Portugal, Azor.e Islands, Italy; China; West Indies, 
 
 Florida ; islands of the Pacific. 
 Orris-root Southern Europe. 
 
 Palm-oil Brazil ; western coast of Africa ; India, etc. 
 
200 APPENDIX. 
 
 Peabls Ceylon, Persian Gulf ; coast of Venezuela, Bay of Panama, Gulf 
 
 of California ; coast of Algiers. 
 
 Peppek East and West Indies. 
 
 Peruvian Baee Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, New Granada. 
 
 Pimento {allspice) West Indies, particularly the island of Janaaica ; South America. 
 
 Pine-apples I ^jj intertropical countries. 
 
 Plantains . . > 
 
 Platina , Ural Mountains ; Spain ; Bra2dl, Peru. 
 
 Po.meop.anatk3 Southern Asia ; Southern Europe ; AVest Indies, etc. 
 
 Potatoes Cultivation extensive in all tropical countries, and conunon 
 
 throughout the temperate zones. 
 
 Prunes Spain, Portugal, south of France, etc. 
 
 PuiiiCE-STONE Island of Lipari. 
 
 Quicksilver (mercury). Spain, Austria; Peru, Mexico, California. 
 
 Eaisins Asiatic Turkey ; Spain, Italy, etc. 
 
 Eattan East Indies, Malay Peninsula. 
 
 EuuBAEB Central Asia, Asiatic Eussia, Turkey, China, etc. 
 
 EicE India, China, Malaysia ; Italy ; Africa ; Southern United States, 
 
 West Indies, etc. 
 
 EosEwooD Brazil ; Canary Is. ; Siam. 
 
 EuBY Ava, Siberia ; Egj'pt ; Brazil, etc. 
 
 Eye Germany, Eussia, Great Britain ; United States, Canada, New 
 
 Brunswick, etc. 
 
 Saffeon Essex in England, Southern Europe ; and Asia generally. 
 
 Sago East Indies, Cochin China, China. 
 
 Salt Very widely distributed in almost every country. 
 
 Saltpetre {nitre) United States, Peru ; Spain, France, Germany, Sweden, Hun- 
 gary ; Egypt ; India, etc. . 
 
 SAPPniRE France, Saxony, Bohemia ; Birmah. 
 
 Saesaparilla Central America, Jamaica, Venezuela, Brazil. 
 
 Senna Arabia, Syria ; Egypt ; East Indies. 
 
 Silk Italy, France, Turkey ; Persia ; India, China. 
 
 Silver Mexico, Peru ; Hungary, Saxony, Spain ; Siberia. 
 
 Slate United States; Great Britain, and many parts of continental 
 
 Europe. 
 
 Sponge ...Florida Channel; Mediterranean Sea; Eed Sea, etc. 
 
 Sugar (from beet) France, Belgium, Eussia, Germany. 
 
 S UG AK (from maple) Northern part of the United States, Canada, New Brunswick. 
 
 Sugar-cane All tropical countries. 
 
 Sulphur Sicily ; Iceland ; Mexico. 
 
 Tamarinds East Indies ; Arabia ; Egypt ; West Indies, Brazil. 
 
 Tapioca Brazil. 
 
 Tab United States ; Northern Europe. 
 
 Tea China, Assam. 
 
 Tin England, Saxony, Austria, Spain ; East Indies, China. 
 
APPENDIX, 201 
 
 Tobacco United States, Cuba, Canada; Turkey, Germany, France; 
 
 Southern Europe and Southern Asia generally ; — and all trop- 
 ical countries. 
 
 Topaz United States, Mexico, South America ; East Indies ; Egypt ; 
 
 Siberia. 
 
 ToKTOiSE-snELL East Indian Archipelago, Singapore. 
 
 Tumeric Bengal, Java, China. 
 
 TuKQUoiSE Persia, East Indies, Ceylon. 
 
 Tanilla Central America, Br.azil, Ecuador. 
 
 Vine Southern Europe ; Northern Afl'ica ; and throughout America 
 
 within the temperate zone. 
 
 ■Walnuts Spain, France, Italy, Turkey. 
 
 "Wheat All temperate climates. 
 
 WtsES Por*— Province of Upper Douro in Portugal ; — Sherry — Xerea 
 
 near Cadiz in Spain ; — Claret — Bordeaux in France ; — Cluiin- 
 pagne — from a province in France of the same name ; — Bur- 
 gundy — ditto.; — Madeira — from the Madeira Islands; — 
 J/almmy — ditto. ; — Tenenffe — from the island of Teneriffe ; — 
 Marsala — Sicily ; and Cape-wines from South Africa. 
 
 Tams "West Indies ; East Indies ; islands of the Pacific. 
 
 Zero United States ; Belgium, England, Germany ; China. 
 
 STAPLE PRODUCTIONS AND EXPORTS OF COUNTRIES. 
 
 NORTH AMK RICA. 
 
 HtTDSON Bat Teeeitoeies . Furs. 
 
 Canada "Wheat, flour, timber, pot and pearl ashes, furs, balsam, fish. 
 
 New Brunswick Timber, grindstones, fish. 
 
 Nova Scotia Timber, coal, gypsum, grindstones, fish, oil. 
 
 Newfoundland Fish, seal-skins, oil. 
 
 Labeadok Furs, seal-skins, fish. 
 
 United States i "Wheat, Indian corn, flour, pork, beef, wool hemp, timber, 
 
 Worihorn Section, -< iron, copper, lead, zinc, coal, salt, cotton and woolen goods^ 
 
 iwrVi of 3S° N. lat. ( machinery, hardware. 
 Southern S-ection, j Cotton tobacco, rice, sugar, fruit, resin, turpentine, timber, 
 south of 38° A'", lat. I gold, coal. 
 
 California Gold, quicksilver. 
 
 Mexico Gold, silver, quicksilver, cochineal, sarsaparilla, tobacco, ma- 
 hogany, logwood. 
 
 Centkal Ajieeica Gold, silver, cochineal, indigo, coffee, sarsaparilla, dye-woods, 
 
 hides. 
 West Indies. 
 Cuba Coffee, sugar, tobacco, rum, mahogany, beeswax, honey, cop- 
 per. 
 
 San Domingo Coffee, sugar, tobacco, cotton, logwood, mahogany, ginger, 
 
 wax. 
 Jamaica Coffee, sugar^ rum, peppeb 
 
202 APPENDIX. 
 
 Porto Rico Sugar, coffee, tobacco, rum. 
 
 Bahamas Salt, fruit, sponge, siiells, turtle, dye-woods, bark. 
 
 Little Antilles Sugar, coffee, rum, tobacco, cocoa, arrow-root, oranges, indi- 
 go, pepper, asphaltum, etc. 
 
 SOUTH AMKRICA. 
 
 Yenezttela Coffee, cotton, cocoa, indigo, sugar, tobacco, hides, cattle, 
 
 barks, dye-woods. 
 
 Guiana Sugar, rum, coffee, cocoa, cotton, pepper, cloves. 
 
 Brazil Sugar, coffee, cotton, rice, tapioca, tobacco, cocoa, dye and cab- 
 inet woods, gold and precious stones, cattle, horses and 
 mules, wool, hides, and tallow. 
 
 Ueuguat Wool, hides, and tallow. 
 
 Paraguay Terba matte t^Paraguay tea). 
 
 Aegextixb Kepublic Wheat, rice, cocoa, cotton, wool, hides, tallow, skins, horns, 
 
 jerked beef, etc. 
 
 Chile Gold, silver, copper, hides, taUow. 
 
 Bolivia Cotton, rice, sarsapariUa, balsam of Peru. 
 
 Peeu Cotton, Peruvian bark, cabinet-woods, wool, gold, silver, salt- 
 petre. 
 
 EcuADOE Wax, gums, resins, sarsapariUa, gold, lead, quicksilver, 
 
 sulphur. 
 
 New Granada Gold, silver, platina, salt, emeralds, pearls. 
 
 EUROPK. 
 
 ^EiTiSH Isles Com, cattle, coal, iron, copper, lead, salt, tin, machinery, hard- 
 ware, cutlery, leather ; cotton, woolen, silk, and linen goods ; 
 earthenware. 
 
 Feance Wines, brandy, silk, wheat, fruit, eggs, beet-root sugar ; silk, 
 
 cotton, linen, and woolen goods, laces, gloves, jewelry, fancy 
 articles, etc. 
 
 Holland and Belgium . .Butter, cheese, cattle, bark, madder, seeds, oil, com, flax, iron, 
 coal, zinc, linen goods, laces. 
 
 Germany Wheat, wool, timber, flax, hogs, bristles, bark, iron, zinc, coal, 
 
 salt, amber, leather, ironware, woolen and linen goods, por- 
 celain, glassware. 
 
 Denmark Corn, «attle, rape, butter, wool, hides, bark. 
 
 Sweden and Noeway .. .Iron, copper, lead, cobalt, timber, bark. 
 
 KussiA Grain hemp, flax, timber, furs, leather, linens, wool, hides, 
 
 tallow, bristles, linseed, tar, pitch, pot and pearl ashes. 
 
 Austria Wheat, maize, silk, cheese, wine, sheep, wool, cattle, hogs. 
 
 Spain . •. . . . Wine, fruits, cork, wool, lead, quicksilver, silk, olive-oil. 
 
 PoETUGAL . . . . , Wine, fruits, wool, olive-oil, cork. 
 
 Italy Grain, cattle, silks, velvets, olive-oil, fruits, wine, wool, sul- 
 phur, charcoal, marble, flsh, sumac. 
 
 Ionian Islands Wine, currants, olive-oil. 
 
 Greece Wheat, cotton, fruits, marble, wax, honey, silk, oil. 
 
 TuEKEY Wine, cotton, wool, cattle, wheat, silks, tobacco, raisins, flgs. 
 
APPENDIX. 203 
 
 ASIA. 
 
 Turkey Fruits, oliTe-oil, madder, raw silk, cotton, opiam, drugs, gum.-, 
 
 spoages, galls, carpets, leather. 
 
 Aeabia. Coiffee, dates, aloes, myrrh, frankincense, gum-arabic, asplial- 
 
 tum. 
 Pkksia Naptha, silk, cotton, wool, carpets, shawls, tobac«o, fruit, 
 
 drugs, copper. 
 
 AE«HA.NiSTA3sr Horscs, furs, madder, tobacco, fruit, shawls. 
 
 Beloochistan Horses, skins, grain. 
 
 HiNBOosTAN Eice, sugar, silk, cotton, indigo, coffee, wool, opium, saltpetre, 
 
 tobacco. 
 
 Ceylon. Cinnamon, coffee, cocoa-nut oil, coir, areco-nuts, tobacco. 
 
 BiKMAH Teak timber, cotton, rice, indigo. 
 
 Malay Peninsula Sugar, pepper, ivory, ebony, gutta-percha. 
 
 Anam OS, Cochin China . . Sugar, cinnamon, anise-seed, silk, cotton, spiees, gamboge, 
 
 ivory. 
 
 SiAii Sugar, pepper, lac, ivory, tin, dye-woods. 
 
 China Tea, silks, cotton-goods, porcelain, lacquered-ware, gums, pa 
 
 per, drugs,- ginger. 
 
 Tibet Gold, skitts, goat hair, woolen cloth, shawls, musk. 
 
 Cashmere Shawls. 
 
 TooEKiSTAif Silk, cotton, wool, skins. 
 
 Siberia Furs, gold, topaz, musk. 
 
 Japan Copper, camphor, silk, lacquered- ware, tea, etc 
 
 EuEiLE Islands Furs, oil, whalebone, spermaceti. 
 
 AFRICA. 
 
 Maeocco Wax, hides, skins, leather, gums, olive-oil, wool. Indigo 
 
 dates, honey. 
 
 Algeria Copper, hides, wax, oil, wool, dates, honey 
 
 TtTNis Wheat, barley, Castile soap, red woolen caps, ivory, marocco 
 
 leather, etc. 
 
 Tripoli Cattle, hides, wooi, saii, olive-oil 
 
 Egypt Wheat, rice, flax, cotton, gums. 
 
 Nubia Ivory, ostrich-feathers, senna, gums 
 
 Abyssinia Ivory, gold-dust. 
 
 Zanguebab Eice, sugar, gums, flsh, ivory. 
 
 Mozambique Gold-dust, ivory, wax, gums, amber. 
 
 Cape Colony Wool, wine, skins, hides, grain, flour. 
 
 Natal Grain, hides, cotton, ivory 
 
 Madagascar Amber, ambergris 
 
 Mauritius Island .- Sugar, ebony, tortoise-shell, nutmegs. 
 
 Bourbon Island Sugar, coffee, cloves. 
 
 Lower Guinea Palm-oil, barwood, ivory 
 
 Guinea Gold-dust, palm-oil, ivory 
 
 Liberia Palm-oil, camwood, ivorj-, gold-dust, coflfee, indigo, ginger 
 
 arrow-root, pepper 
 
204 APPENDIX. 
 
 EiEKEA Leone and Sen- ) q^^^^ indigo, coffee, pepper, wax, camwood, ivory, gold^ust 
 
 GAMBIA ' 
 
 Cape Vekde Islands Orchilla, fruits, poultry. 
 
 Canary Islands "Wines, fruits, orcliilla, honey, rosewood. 
 
 Madeira Islands "Wine, citron, fruits, coffee, arrow-root. 
 
 Azoee Islands Oranges, wine, brandy. 
 
 OCL: ANICA. 
 
 Philippine Islands Sugar, rice, hemp, manilla, indigo, cigars, hides, tortoise-shelL 
 
 Borneo Gold-dust, diamonds, antimony, camphor, gutta-percha, sago, 
 
 gums. 
 
 SxTMATKA Pepper, rice, copal, camphor, gold-dust, gutta-percha. 
 
 Java Coffee, sugar, rice, indigo, cinnamon. 
 
 Celebes Eice, maize, cassava, tobacco, cotton. 
 
 Molucca Islands Nutmegs, cloves, sago, cabinet-woods. 
 
 Maldive Islands Cocoa-nuts, cowry and cowry shells. 
 
 Lacoadive Islands Cocoa-nuts, cowry shells. 
 
 New South "Wales Sheep, cattle, wool, tallow. 
 
 Victoria Sheep, cattle, wool, tallow, gold. 
 
 South Australia "Wheat, flour, gold, copper, lead. 
 
 New Zealand "Wool. 
 
 Polynesia Bread-fruit, cocoa, banana, plantain, banyan, sugar-cane, 
 
 yam, cotton-plant, whale-oil, etc. 
 
 TRADE ROUTES. 
 
 The navigation of the ocean constitutes an important branch of industry, 
 in -which a greater or less number of people of all civilized countries are 
 engngad. The most wealthy and powerful nations are those "svhich have the 
 most extended foreign commerce ; as Great Britain, France, the United States, 
 Holland, Denmark, Sweden, and Russia. Commerce has always been a 
 fruitful source of iudividual and national prosperity. 
 
 In former times, maritime pursuits were very slowly conducted. This 
 was owing to the irop3rfect construction of vessels, which were built more 
 with reference to strength than qualities of fast sailing, and to the igno- 
 rance, among mariners, of the prevailing winds and currents of the ocean, 
 and of the manner in which they might be best employed in navigation. 
 
 The winds and currents of the ocean have formed subjects of the most 
 careful study and research, and the results of these inquiries have been of 
 the greatest utility to all engaged in na-vigating the sea. No one is qualified 
 to direct the course of a ship who is not familiar with the winds and cur- 
 rents of the region in which he is sailing, and with the methods in which 
 he may use them to advantage in prosecuting his voyage. 
 
 On this subject Captain Basil Hall remarks,—" It is one of the chief points 
 
APPENDIX. 205 
 
 of a seaman's duty to know where to find a fair wind, and where to fall in 
 with a favorable current. If we take a globe and trace on it the shortest 
 route by sea to India, and then fancy that such must be the best course to 
 follow, we shall be very much mistaken. And yet this is very much wliat 
 our ancestors actually did, till time and repeated trials, and multitudinous 
 failures, gradually taught them where to seek for winds, and how to profit 
 by them when found." 
 
 Map 6 exhibits the tracks usually taken by ships proceeding from New 
 York across the Atlantic, Pacitic, and Indian oceans. The outward and 
 homeward tracks, are distinguished by arrows. 
 
 KoTJTE FROM New York TO Saii Francisco. — The route marked on 
 the map shows the course taken by vessels which have made the quickest 
 passages between these ports. The pupil will notice tliat it is not the short- 
 est as regards distance. Between New York and tlie point where it crosses 
 the equator (on or near the 30th meridian), and also between Cape Horn 
 and San Francisco, it diverges very considerably from a direct line. 
 
 To understand this route, and others marked on the map, it is necessary 
 for the learner to bear in mind the direction of the prevailing winds as ex- 
 plained in Lesson IV., Part III. From the parallel of about S0° nortli and 
 south, nearly to the equator, there are two zones of perpetual winds, namely : 
 the zone of northeast trade- winds on this side, and of southeast trade-winds 
 on that. Now, a vessel sailing from New York to Cape Horn is necessarily 
 obliged to pass through tliese zones. Before striking the northeasterly 
 trades, she must make a good deal of easting, that is, proceed to the east ; 
 for if this is not done they would, perhaps, carry the vessel too close to the 
 "Windward Islands and the nortliern coast of South America, so tiiat she 
 would find it very diincult to double Cape St. Roque. (See Diagram of the 
 Trade-winds, page 132.) 
 
 After crossing the equator the route extends through the South Atlnntic, 
 at no great distance from tlie eastern coast of Soutii America, passing in- 
 side the Falkland Islands. The most difficult part of the route is tl;at which 
 extends from the 5Uth parallel in the South Atlantic to the same parallel 
 in the Pacific. In this part of the voyage is performed the labor of doub- 
 ling Cape Horn, a very troublesome operation in consequence of the contin- 
 uous cold westerly winds which sailors always find there. The best months 
 for doubling the Horn are our winter and summer, excepting July. October 
 appears to be the most unpropitious month for the passage. 
 
 After reaching the 50th parallel, the California vessel stands far out into 
 the Pacific at a great distance from the coast. This is done to get the 
 southeast trades in their full force; for, it is to be remembered, these winds 
 are considerably impeded by the continent, and are, the strongest and stead- 
 iest at a distance from shore. On passing the region of calms, near the 
 equator, the zone of the northeast trades is met with, and in crossing this 
 belt, the track, instead of leading directly to San Francisco, continues on 
 Btill in a northwest direction, until the vessel, in about the 25th parallel 
 
206 APPENDIX. 
 
 north latitude, has got beyond the influence of these trades : then easting is 
 made and the port reached.* 
 
 Returning from San Francisco, a vessel pursues a course nearly due south, 
 between the meindians of 120° and 125° west longitude, to about the 50th 
 parallel south latitude, where westerly winds are met which rapidly bear 
 her past Cape Horn into the South Atlantic. Here her course is rather 
 slow and irregular until Cape St. Roque is reached. At the latter point 
 she enters the strong current which sweeps westwardly from the Gulf of 
 Guinea, and flows along the northern coast of South America. (Art. 364, 
 365.) From the equator to New Yorli the track is very nearly straight. 
 
 From New York to Port Philip, Australia. — The track of vessels 
 bound from New York to Australia is the same as that pursued by ships 
 bound for California, until the 20th parallel south latitude is reached. In- 
 deed, all vessels sailing for the South Atlantic, whether their destination 
 be Rio Janeiro, San Francisco, Cape of Good Hope, or Port Philip, are ad- 
 vised to follow about the same course until they have passed the latitude 
 of Cape St. Roque. 
 
 The following remarks relating to this route are taken from the "Sailing 
 Directions :"t " The gold ports of Australia, whether the distance be meas- 
 ured via Cape Horn, or by the way of the Cape of Good Hope, are between 
 12,000 and 13,000 miles from the Atlantic ports of the United States or 
 Europe. The best way for vessels in the Australian trade, from Europe or 
 America, via the Atlantic, to go, is by doubling the Cape of Good Hope ; 
 and the best w^ay to co7)ie is, via Cape Horn ; and for this reason, viz. : The 
 prevailing winds in the extra- tropical regions of the southern hemisphere 
 are from the N. W., which of course makes fair winds for the outward bound 
 around the Cape of Good Hope, and fair winds for the homeward bound 
 around Cape Horn. Here, all is plain sailing ; vessels homeward bound 
 should steer by the shortest cut for Cape Horn, and the outward bound, 
 after doubling the Cape of Good Hope, should shape their course as direct 
 for the port of destination as the land and winds will permit them." 
 
 Many of the other routes, as marked on the map, appear to be very cir- 
 cuitous, and some of them are actually so ; but they are such as the long 
 experience of seamen have found to be the best, and such, too, as would be 
 pursued, without much experience by a commander of a vessel who was fully 
 acquainted with the regular movements of the air and ocean. Tlie limits 
 of this book do not admit of a further explanation of the tracks of vessels. 
 
 * The track above described is sometimes departed from, more or less, by vessels bound 
 from New Torlc to San Francisco; but ;t is the one recommended in the '■^Sailing Direc- 
 tions." It is very nearly the course taken by the ship " Flying Cloud" on the trip she made 
 in 93 days — the quickest passage ever performed between these porta. 
 
 t This is a most valuable work prepared by Lieut. M. F. Maury, Superintendent of the 
 Natiopal Observatory, Washinarton. It is designed to accompany and explain the " Wind 
 and Current Charts," prepared by the same authority. Thi so works are published at the 
 expense of the United States Government, and dislributed gratuitously to the commanders 
 of all vessels who pledge themselves to keep a journal of their voyages, and, on their re- 
 turn, to transmit the same to the National Observatory. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 207 
 
 By perusing Lesson XVI., Part IT. on the Currents of the Ocean, and also 
 Lesson IV., Part III., on the Permanent Winds, the learner may be able 
 to understand why particular deviations from a direct line are made in the 
 several routes marked on the map. 
 
 METALLIC PRODUCTIONS. 
 
 Of the great number of metallic substances found in the earth, thoge of 
 the greatest use are gold, silver, mercury, tin, copper, zinc, lead, and iron.* 
 
 Minerals are deposited in veins or fissures of rocks, in masses, in beds, 
 and sometimes in gravel and sand. Most of the metals are found in veins ; 
 a few, as gold and tin, iron and copper, are disseminated through the rocks, 
 though rarely. The veins are cracks or fissures in rocks, seldom in a straight 
 line, yet they maintain a general direction, and sometimes extend to an un- 
 fathomable depth. 
 
 Metals are peculiar to particular rocks : gold and tin are most plentiful 
 in granite and the rocks lying immediately above it ; copper is deposited in 
 various slate formations ; lead is found in the mountain-limestone system ; 
 
 iron abounds in the coal strata; 
 and silver occurs in almost all 
 these formations ; its ores being 
 frequently combined with those 
 of other metals, especially of lead 
 and copper. 
 
 When a mine is opened, a shaft 
 like a well is sunk perpendicularly 
 from the surface of the ground, 
 and from it horizontal galleries 
 are dug at different levels accord- 
 ing to the direction of the metal- 
 lic veins. When mines extend 
 very far in a horizontal direction, 
 it becomes necessary to sink more 
 shafts, which are connected to- 
 gether by horizontal galleries. 
 Shafts are from eight to twelve 
 feet square, and are usually wall- 
 ed up with timber or stone to pre- 
 Shaft. vent the sides from caving in. 
 
 The water which filtrates through the earth would soon collect into a 
 
 * Thirty-five metals are nnw known: they are gold, silver, platinum, copper, lead, tin, 
 iron, zinc, arsenic, bismuth, antimony, nicl<el, quicksilver, manganese, cadmium, cerium, 
 cohalt, iridium, uranium, chrome, lantanium. molybdenum, columbium, osmium, palladium, 
 pelapium, tantalum, tellurium, rhodium, titanium, vanadium, tungsten, dydynium, fen 
 bium, erbium. 
 
208 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 mine and put a stop to the ■work, were not adequate means employed to 
 remove it. This is done in two ways : first, by digging a horizontal gallery 
 (called an adit-levtl) from the mine to some adjacent valley ; in this way 
 is drained all that part of the work which lies above ; and, secondly, by 
 the use of pumps for drawing out the water from that part of the mine 
 which is below the adit-level, or drain. Many of these drains are of great 
 Isngth, and are dug at great expense. One of these, in the mining region 
 of Cornwall, England, begins in a valley near the sea, and a very little 
 above its level, and goes through all the neighboring mines, which it drains 
 to that dep*^h, and with all its ramifications is 30 miles long. 
 
 Mode ol Opening a. Mine. 
 
 The mode of raising ores varies with the depth of the mine. For a dis- 
 tance of fifty feet, or even one hundred, the ore and rubbish may be raised 
 to the surface by the simple windlass, worked by hand, on which a rope is 
 so wound, that one bucket descends while the other ascends. As soon, how- 
 ever, as the depth of the shaft becomes more considerable, it is necessary to 
 resort to horse or steam power for raising the ore. Tlie common macliine 
 used for this purpose is called a whim ; as usually constructed when worked 
 by horse power, it is represented in the annexed cut. A steam-Avhim is 
 generally used when the shaft has a depth of more than two hundred feet. 
 
 Modo cf Hoistiag Ores. 
 
APPENDIX. 209 
 
 DISTEIBUTION OF GOLD.* 
 Ik the United States.— The United States contains two gold regions, 
 but they are of very unequal importance. The one, that of the Atlantic 
 slope, the " Apalachian gold-field," has been worked to a moderate extent 
 for over thirty years ; the other, " the Californian gold-field," whicli lias, 
 during the period since it was discovered, produced more than twelve times 
 as much as has hitherto been obtained on the Atlantic side. 
 
 The Apalachian gold-field extends from Georgia, in a northeasterly di- 
 rection to Maryland, and is developed in the following counties : in Georgia, 
 in Carroll, Cobb, Cherokee, Lumpkin, and Habersham counties ; in South 
 Carolina, through the whole northwestern corner of the State, especially 
 in the following districts : Abbeville, Pickens, Spartanburg, Union, York, 
 Lancaster ; in JVorth Carolina, in Mecklenburg, Rutherford, Cabarras, 
 Rowan, Davidson, Guildford, and Rockingham ; thence through Virginia, 
 in Pittsylvania, Campbell, Buckingham, Fluvanna, Louisa, Spottsylvania, 
 Orange, Culpeper, Fauquier ; in Maryland, Jlontgomery county. Gold 
 has also been found in Canada on the Du Loup and Chaudiere rivers. 
 
 The California gold-field is the richest in the United States, and, com- 
 pared with what we know of other similar regions, it is the richest in the 
 world. It was first discovered in 1848, and it is calculated that, up to the 
 end of 1853, it had yielded the enormous sum of two hundred and sixty 
 million dollars, and that the annual product is now about fifty million dol- 
 lars. This rich mineral region is in tlie great valley of California, which 
 has a length of about 500 miles, and a breadth of from 50 to 100. It is 
 drained by two principal rivers, — the Sacramento and the San Joaquin, the 
 former floAving south, and the latter north. The gold is most usually ob- 
 tained in fine particles, and scales or flattened grains, and is obtained by 
 washings, or the separation of the metal from tlie earthy substances with 
 which it is mixed. Lumps or " nuggets" are not frequent, and rarely ex- 
 ceed a few pounds in weight. 
 
 Itf Foreign Countries. — Of the foreign countries, those most product- 
 ive of gold are Australia, the Russian Empire, South Asia, the East Indies, 
 Equador, New Guinea, Mexico, Brazil, and the Austrian Empire. 
 
 Tlie Australian gold district is, next to that of California, by far the 
 most productive of any known. The existence of gold there was first made 
 known in May, 1851. Tlie gold region embraces tlie southeast corner of 
 Australia. The annual yield is estimated at about tliirty-seven million dol- 
 lars. The gold of the Russian Empire is obtained almost entirely from 
 tlie eastern slope of the Ural Mountains, from Siberia, and in the Caucasus. 
 It is supposed that the countries of Russia yield gold to the value of about 
 fourteen million dollars annually. 
 
 * The author is indebted for the following facts, relatins; to the distribution of metals, to 
 the very able work of J. D. Whitney, Esq., entitled "Metallic Wealtu op Tint United 
 States:" Lippincott, Grambo &, Co., Philadelphia. 
 
210 APPENDIX. 
 
 DISTEIBUTION OP SILVER. 
 
 In the United States. — There is no silver mine at present •worked in 
 the United States. The silver furnished by this country comes almost wholly 
 from the native gold of California, with whicli silver is alloyed. From this 
 source a very considerable amount is obtained. 
 
 In- Other Countries. — The countries particularly distinguished for 
 their extensive yield of silver are Mexico, Peru, Chile, Bolivia, and Spain. 
 Mexico is by far the richest in mines of this metal, from which, it is esti- 
 mated, not less tlian twenty-eight million dollars worth are now annually 
 obtained, an amount considerably greater than the annual yield of all the 
 other mines in the world. 
 
 The province of Guanaxuata is supposed to furnish about one half the 
 amount of the silver produced in Mexico. In Peru, the richest mines are 
 at Pasco, on the Andes, over 13,000 feet above the sea. Besides the Pasco 
 mines, which are the richest in the world, there are numerous other mining 
 districts in Peru, especially in the province of Pataz, Huamanchuco, Cax- 
 amarca, and Hualgayoc. The richest silver mines of Chile are those of 
 Copiapo ; those of Bolivia are at Potosi, more than 16,000 feet above the 
 sea-level. Of the silver furnished by Europe, that of Spain, Russia, and 
 Great Britain is derived almost exclusively from the working of silver-lead 
 ores. The only mining districts of importance, in Europe, in which silver 
 ores are worked by themselves, are those of Hungary and Transylvania, 
 of the Erzgebirge in Saxony and Bohemia, and of Kongsberg in JVorway. 
 
 DISTEIBUTIOX OF MEECURT. 
 
 In the United States. — No mercury is known to have been found east 
 of the Mississippi Paver. It is produced in considerable quantities in Cali- 
 fornia, from a mine at New Almaden, in one Of the side valleys of the San 
 Jose. 
 
 In Foreign Countries. — Nearly all the mercury supplied by Europe la 
 obtained from the mines of Almaden in Spain, and Idria in the Austrian 
 Empire. The mines of Almaden are situated in the province of La Mancha, 
 near the frontier of Estramadura. These mines have been worked longer 
 than any others in the world ; they were known to the Greeks at least 700 
 years before the Christian era. The present yield of the Spanish mercury 
 mines is about 2 5 million of pounds per annum. Mercury is obtained from 
 several localities in South America, but chiefly from the mines of Huanca- 
 velica, in Peru, which yield about 100,000 pounds per annum. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION OP TIN. 
 
 In the United States. — Tin, which is used in the manufacture of tin 
 plates, is nowhere found in the United States in any considerable amount. 
 The only locality in this country where this ore has been found in any no- 
 
APPENDIX. 211 
 
 ticeable quantity, is at Jackson, in Carroll county, New Hampsliire, but it 
 has not been obtained there in a quantity suf&cient to render its manufac- 
 ture profitable. 
 
 In Foreign- CouiirTRiEs. — The most productive tin mining region in the 
 •world is in Cornwall, England. The Cornish mines have been worked from 
 a very early period, the metal from which formed an article of traffic with 
 the Phoenicians and Greeks before the time of our Saviour. It is estimated 
 that about 7,000 tons of tin are annually made from the ores of these mines. 
 The most valuable tin mines on the continent of Europe are those of Erzge- 
 birge, which are partly in Saxony and partly in Bohemia. One of the 
 richest deposits of tin known is in the province of Tenasserim, in the Ma- 
 layan peninsula. The best quality of tin is obtained from the island of 
 Banca, at the extremity of the Malacca peninsula. 
 
 DISTEIBUTION OF COPPEE. 
 
 In the United States. — Copper is, next to gold, iron, and lead, the 
 most important metal in the United States. The richest copper mining dis- 
 trict in this country is that of Lake Superior. The occurrence of native 
 copper on this lake was known to the Jesuit Fathers, who, in the latter half 
 of the seventeenth century, traveled extensively in that region. The mines 
 were not extensively worked until after the year 1844, when the country 
 was ceded to the United States by the Chippewa Indians, and opened to set- 
 tlement. Since that time, numerous companies have been organized, and 
 large amounts of stock contributed, for the purpose of opening and working 
 mines in this region. The principal mines are those of Kewenaw Point, Isle 
 Royale, Ontonagon River, and Portage Lake. The Cliff Mine of Kewenaw 
 Point has been worked for the longest period, and has yielded the greatest 
 amount of metal, — the total product of it, up to the close of 1853, being 
 more than 2,700 tons. This mine has been excavated to the depth of 600 feet. 
 
 Copper deposits are found at numerous localities in the valley of the Mis- 
 sissippi, — those in the neighborhood of Mineral Point, Wisconsin, being the 
 best known. They are found also in the region which extends along the 
 western slope of the Apalachian chain of mountains from New Hampshire 
 to Georgia. The principal localities in this district occur at, or near, the 
 following places : '^a,rTQnva.J\''ewHampshh-e; Orange in Vermont ; 'BYisiol, 
 Manchester, Litchfield, and Plymouth, in Connecticut ; Belleville, Griggs- 
 town, Brunswick, Woodbridge, Greenbrook, Somerville, and Flemington, in 
 JVew Jersey ; Montgomery and Chester counties in Pennsylvania ; Liberty 
 and New London, in Maryland ; Fauquier county in Virginia ; Greensboro 
 in JVorth Carolina ; and Polk county in Tennessee. 
 
 In Foreign Countries. — The most noted copper mines of foreign countries 
 are those of Cornwall and Devonshire, in England, which have been work- 
 ed longer, and have produced more of this metal than any other mines in the 
 world : they are supposed to yield about 14,000 tons annually. The country 
 next in importance to England, as a copper region, is Chile, in South Amer- 
 ica, where copper is the most important product. England and Chile together 
 
212 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 supply more than half the amount of copper consumed in the world. The 
 principal mines of Chile are tho^se of Carrisal, north of the valley of Huasco ; 
 and at San Juan and La Higuera, between Huasco and Coquimbo. Numer- 
 ous mines are worked in the vicinity of Copiapo. 
 
 The other principal copper-mining districts are those of the Ural Mount- 
 ains, and the Caucasus, in the Russian Empire ; Mansfield, in Prussia ; 
 Upper Hungary, in Austria. Copper is also obtained in JVorway, Sweden, 
 Spain, and in the East Indies, Japan, Australia, and Cuba. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION OF ZINC. 
 
 IjV the United States. — The ores of zinc are distributed over the United 
 States in great abundance. Some of the more important localities are at or 
 near the following places: Easton, in JVcw Hampshire ; Wartsboro, in Sul- 
 livan county, JVew York; Sussex county, JVet« Jersey; and Friedensville, 
 in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania. Of the above mines, those in New Jersey 
 have, as yet, yielded by far the greatest amount of this metal. The ores of 
 zinc are plentifully distributed through the lead mines of the Mississippi 
 valley. 
 
 In^ Foreign Countries. — Zinc is procured in Great Britain, Austria, 
 and Poland ; but the countries particularly distinguished for extensive zinc 
 mines are Be/gium and Prussia, which, together, yield more than eight 
 tenths of all that is manufactured in the world. The great Belgian zinc- 
 works are in the province of Liege. The principal zinc district of Prussia 
 is in the province of Upper Silesia, which produces nine tenths of the whole 
 amount of this metal furnished by Prussia. 
 
 DISTEIBUTION OF LEAD. 
 
 In the United States. — The lead mines of this country are abundantly 
 scattered over its surface, and have yielded a larger amount in value of this 
 metal than of any other, with the exception of iron and gold. The most 
 productive mines are those of the Upper Mississippi lead region ; but there 
 are numerous localities in the Atlantic States where considerable amounts 
 of lead have been obtained. The most noted of the lead districts in the lat- 
 ter division are those of Rossie, in St. Lawrence county, Ancram, in Colum- 
 bia county, Northeast in Dutchess county, JSTew York ; Middletown, in Con- 
 necticut ; and Chester and Montgomery counties, in Pennsylvania. 
 
 The great lead deposits of the Mississippi valley are known as the Upper 
 Mississippi and the Missouri mines. Tlie first of these divisions comprehends 
 the lead region lying in the southwestern portion of AVisconsin and including 
 a small part of the adjacent states of Illinois and Iowa. The principal 
 mining centers of this division are Galena, in Illinois ; Mineral Point, in 
 Wisconsin ; and Dubuque, in Iowa. The Mississippi runs along the western 
 edge of this tract, and the course of the Wisconsin River is nearly parallel 
 with the northern line, and distant from it only a few miles. The mines of 
 this division yield annually upward of 13,000 tons. The second division 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 213 
 
 embraces the mines of the State of Missouri, lying principally south of the 
 Missouri River. The principal mines are in Washington county, near Big 
 Kiver and Mineral Creek. 
 
 In Foreign Countries. — ^Lead mines are distributed through most of 
 the countries of Europe, but those of Great Britain and Spain are by far 
 the most productive. The most extensive lead mining districts of Great 
 Britain are in Cardiganshire and Montgomeryshire in Wales, and at Alston 
 Moor, where the three counties of Northumberland, Durham, and Cumber- 
 land come together. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION OF IKON. 
 
 In the United States. — Iron is so very extensively distributed through- 
 out the United States, that only a mere mention of the states in which it is 
 most abundant can be given in this article. Rich deposits of this metal are 
 found in almost, if not quite, every State in the Union; but the states in 
 which it is manufactured to the greatest extent are Connecticut, New York, 
 New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, 
 and Missouri. Pennsylvania excels all other states in the manufacture of 
 iron, yielding more than half of all that is made in the Union. The num- 
 ber of tons of iron annually made in the United States, according to the 
 census of 1850, was 850,000. Owing to the cheapness of foreign iron, and 
 the extensive importation of it, the iron mines of this country are not work- 
 ed as largely as they otherwise would be. 
 
 In Foreign Countries. — Great Britain stands pre-eminent for the 
 abundance of its iron and the extent of its manufacture, the annual prod- 
 uce of its mines being estimated at about 3,000,000 tons. Of the other 
 foreign countries noted for the production of iron, are France, Belgium, the 
 Austrian Empire, the Russian Empire, Sweden, and Prussia. 
 
 Note. — For the amount of metals produced throughout the world, see Table on the 
 next page, taken, by permiesion, from " WmTKBY'a Mbtallio Wealth of thb Uniteb 
 Statzs." 
 
214 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
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APP'EK-DIX. 215 
 
 PRINCIPAL MOUNTAINS, WITH THEIR ELEVATIONS. 
 
 The names in capital letters apply to an entire range or chain of mount- 
 ains, and the height stated, in such cases, is an approximation to the average 
 elevation which -its crest attains. The names in small letters, where they 
 immediately follow that of a range, are those of some of its principal sum- 
 mits of which the exact height has been ascertained. The figures in all 
 cases indicate the height above the level of the sea. 
 
 The letter (V.) attached to any name, signifies that it is a volcano which 
 has been active within the historical period. 
 
 NORTH AMERICA. 
 
 The Eocky Mountains extend from 54° N. lat. to the shores of the Arctic Ocean, 70^ 
 N. lat. From Paso del Norte (about 32° N. lat.) to the South Pass, at42o N. lat., they have 
 an altitude of from T,000 to 15,000 feet. From 42° to 4To 80' N. lat., Lewis and Clark's 
 Pass, from 10,000 to 14,000; and from 4T^ 30' to TO^ N. lat. from 3,000 to 10,000. 
 
 EocKY Mountains : i.tVft. 
 
 Mount Brown (lat. 52° 35) 15,690 
 
 Fremont's Peak 18,570 
 
 Long's Peak 12,500 
 
 James' Peak 11,320 
 
 Spanish Peaks 11,000 
 
 SlEEKA MaDRE ok PlATEAU OF Anahttac : 
 
 Popocatepetl (V.) 17,884 
 
 Istaccihuatl 15,705 
 
 Peak of Orizaba (T.) 17,873 
 
 Colima (V.) 11,929 
 
 Bufa de Zacatecas 8,514 
 
 Plateau of Centkal Ameeica : 
 
 Soconusco 7,805 
 
 Volcano de Agua 13,578 
 
 Momotombo (V.) 7,000 
 
 Cartago 11,480 
 
 Alleghany or Appalachian Mountains : 
 
 Mount "Washington, White 3Its., N. IT. 6^,^85 
 
 Mansfield Mt., Green Mts., Yer 4,359 
 
 Saddleback, BerksMH 3fts.^ 3Inss 3,500 
 
 Tahawas or Mt. Marcy, Adirondack Mts., N. T. , 5,467 
 
 Eound Top, CaUMll Mts., JV. F. 8,804 
 
 Peaks of Otter, Blue Pddge, Va 4,260 
 
 Clingman's Peak ^?(TcX; il/fe., A^. O. 6,760 
 
 Sierra Nevada or Snowy Mts. of California, about 10,000 feet. 
 
 Mount St. Joseph 10,000 
 
 Table Mountain 8,000 
 
216 APPEKDIX. 
 
 NoETHWEST Coast Eange : ufl^v* 
 
 Mount St. Elias (lat. 60° 20' N.) 17,900 
 
 Mount Fairweather 14,708 
 
 Mount Ilaeman (V.) 12,066 
 
 Cascade Kange: 
 
 Mount St. Helens (V.) 12,000 
 
 Mount Kanier 12,330 
 
 Mount Shasta 14,390 
 
 ISLANDS OF AMERIOA. 
 
 Cuba : Peak of Tarquino 7,900 
 
 La Gran Piedra 5,300 
 
 Hatti : Cibao Mountains 7,200 
 
 Jamaica : Blue Mountains 6,7-39 
 
 Porto Rico : Sierra de Languilla 8,763 
 
 Guadeloupe : SoufFriere 6,500 
 
 Dominica : Solfatara 6,075 
 
 6t. Lucie : Volcano 4,000 
 
 St. Vincent : Morne Garou 8,000 
 
 Gkenada : Highest peak 8,000 
 
 SOUTH AMERICA. 
 
 The Andes or Cordillera de los Andes have, between 5^ N. lat. and 2° S. lat., a mean 
 
 altitude of from 11,000 to 12,000 feet ; between 15=' and 19= S. lat. about 15,000 ; southward 
 
 of423S. lat. about 3,000. 
 
 Andes : 
 
 Tolima (lat. 4°48''N.) 18,820 
 
 Cayambe (lat. 0° 04' S.) 19,634 
 
 Antisana (V.) (lat 0= 80/ S.) 19,870 
 
 Cotopaxi (V.) (lat. 0=> 39' S.) 18,37.1 
 
 Chimborazo (lat. 1° 220 21,424 
 
 Illimani (lat. 16= 32' S.) 21,180 
 
 Bahama 22,350 
 
 Aconcagua (lat. 82° 88' S.) 22,301 
 
 Tupungato (lat. 83=> 22' S.) 22,456 
 
 Antuca (V.) (lat. 87^ 07' S.) 9,245 
 
 Villa Eica (V.) (lat. 39= 14' 8.) 16,000 
 
 Mountains of Venezuela, from 4,000 to 6,000 feet : 
 
 Horqueta (Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta) , 19,184 
 
 Silla de Caracas ^Sier^a Costanera) 8,633 
 
 Mountains of Pakima and Guiana, from 4,000 to 5,000 feet : 
 
 Maravaca (Sierra de Parima) 10,500 
 
 Duida " " 8 467 
 
 Eoraima 7 455 
 
 Mountains of Brazil, from 2,000 to 3,000 feet : 
 
 Itacolumi (Serra Mantigueira) 5 750 
 
 Itambe (Serra Espinha?o) 6 755 
 
 Morro dos Canados (Serra dos Orgaos) 4,476 
 
APPENDIX. 21T 
 
 E U li O P K . 
 
 The Balkan Mountains (Turkey) from 2,000 to 8,000 feet : ful^lt 
 
 Orbelus 9,000 
 
 Mount Pindus (Turkey and Greece) : 
 
 Mount Guiona 8 239 
 
 St. Elias {ancient Taleton) 7 912 
 
 DiNAEic OE Eastben Alps (Turkey), from 6,000 to 8,000 feet: 
 
 Mount Eom 9 575 
 
 Mount Dinari , 6 gg^ 
 
 'The Alps (Italy and Switzerland), western part from 8,000 to 9,000 feet : 
 
 Gross Glockner (Great Bell) 12,776 
 
 Ortler Spitz 12,818 
 
 Monte Leone or the Simplon 11,541 
 
 Monte Eosa 15,153 
 
 Great St. Bernard 11,0G3 
 
 Mont Blanc .- 15,760 
 
 Mont Iseran 13,267 
 
 Mont Cenis 11,457 
 
 Monte Viso 12,582 
 
 Bkenesb Alps (Switzerland) : 
 
 Finster-aar-horn (Dark Peak of tte Air) 14,106 
 
 Jungfrau (Virgin) 18,710 
 
 Schreck-horn (.Peak of Terrors) 18,887 
 
 Mount Juea (France and Switzerland), from 8,000 to 4,000 feet : 
 
 Eeculet -. 5,959 
 
 The Apennines (Italy), from 4,000 to 5,000 feet : 
 
 Monte Cimone 6,973 
 
 MonteCorno S,521 
 
 Vesuvius (Y.) 8,982 
 
 The Pteenees (France and Spain), from 7,000 to 9,000 feet: 
 
 Montcalm 10,518 
 
 Pie Nethou , or MaladiUa ^1'1*58 
 
 MontPerda lO'^^l 
 
 Cantabeian Mountains (Spain), from 4,000 to 6,000 feet : 
 
 Pena de Penaranda 10,998 
 
 Castilian Mountains (Spain and Portugal), from 4,000 to 5,000 feet : 
 
 Serra d'Estrella - ' 
 
 Mountains of Toledo (Spain\ from 2,000 to 3,000 feet. 
 
 Sibeea Moeena rSpain), from 3,000 to 4,000 feet. 
 
 SiEEEA Nevada (Spain), from 6,000 to 9,000 feet : 
 
 ,, „ 11,658 
 
 Mulhacen ' 
 
 Veleta "'^82 
 
 The Cevennbs (France), from 8,000 to 4,000 feet : 
 
 Monte Mezen ' 
 
 Mou-ntains of Auveegne (France) : 
 
 Pays de Saucy (Mont D'Or) ^'^^^^ 
 
 Plomb de Oantal •••• : ^>^^ 
 
218 APPEKDIX. 
 
 The Vosges (France), from 2,000 to 3,000 feet : ffj^^^ 
 
 Ballon d' Alsace 4,124 
 
 Heecynian Mountains (Germany) : 
 
 Brocken (Harz Mts.) S,T60 
 
 Feldburg (Schwarzwald) , 4,386 
 
 Schnee-kopf (Eicsin-gebirge) 5,274 
 
 Carpathian Mountains (Hungary and Transylvania), from 5,000 to 6,000 : 
 
 Lomnitz Peak (group of Mount Tatra) 8,779 
 
 Kry wan , 8,150 
 
 Mount Petrosch 6,834 
 
 Mount Szural 7,122 
 
 Scandinavian Mountains (Norway and Sweden) : 
 
 Skaestol-tind (in the Langfield) 8,101 
 
 Snee-hatten (in the Dovrefleld) 8,101 
 
 Sulitelma (in the Koelen Mountains) , 6,173 
 
 ISLANDS OF EUROPE. 
 
 Beitish Islands : Ben "Wyvis (Northern Highland?), Scotland 8,720 
 
 Ben Macdhu (Grampians), Scotland 4,305 
 
 Ben Nevis " " 4,368 
 
 Ben Lomond " " 8,175 
 
 Broadlaw (Mts. of Scotland), " 2,741 
 
 Scaw Fell (Cumbrian Mts.), England 8,166 
 
 Snowdon (Cambrian Mts.), Wales. .., 3,571 
 
 Lugnaquilla ("Wicklow Mts.), Ireland 8,039 
 
 Cam Tual (Mountains of Kerry), " 3,404 
 
 Paps of Jura (Island of Jura), Ifebrides 2,470 
 
 Ben-more (Island of Mull), " 3,168 
 
 CuchuUan (Island of Skye), " 2,995 
 
 Highest point of Hoy Island, Orlcney Islands 1,590 
 
 Mount Bona (Mainland), Shetland Idands 1,470 
 
 Iceland : Oraefa Jokull 6,409 
 
 Hekla (V.) 5,095 
 
 AzoEES OE "Western Islands : Peak of Pico (V.), Pico 1 7,911 
 
 Corsica : Monte Eotondo 9,063 
 
 Sardinia : Monte Sehiuschiu 5,276 
 
 Sicily : Etna (V.) • 10,617 
 
 Candia : Psilorati (ancient Ida) 7,674 
 
 ASIA. 
 
 Aldan or Stanovoi Mountains (Siberia) : 
 
 Mount Kapitan 4,263 
 
 Mountains of Kamtchatka, from 10,000 to 15,000 feet : 
 
 Kliuchevsk (V.) 16,512 
 
 Altai Mountains (Siberia and Mongolia), from 5,000 to 7,000 feet : 
 
 Mount Bielukha (lat. 50°, long. 86° 300 .- • • 11,063 
 
 Belook-tagh (.Bolor Mts ) (Toorkistan and Bokhara), from 15,000 to 20,000. 
 
APPENDIX. 219 
 
 Himalaya Mountains (Hindoostan and Tibet), from 15,000 to 28,000 feet. taleit! 
 
 ChumalarL 23,946 
 
 Kunchinjinga 2S,I56 
 
 Mount Everest 29,002 
 
 Dha-walagiriCTT/tite^if.) 26,826 
 
 Numerous other peaks exceed 20,000 
 
 HiKDOo KoosH (Afghanistan) : 
 
 Highest summit 20,230 
 
 Koh-i-Baba Mountains (Afghanistan) : 
 
 Koh-i-Baba 1T,640 
 
 SuLEiMAUN Mountains (Afghanistan) : 
 
 Takt-i-Suleimaun 12,150 
 
 Caspian Mountains oe Chain or Elbkooz (Persia) : 
 
 Demavend 14,695 
 
 Mountains op Akakat (Armenia) : 
 
 Mount Ararat 17,823 
 
 Mountains of Zagbos (Persia and Koordistan), from 6,000 to 9,000 feet: 
 
 Sheikiwa 10,423 
 
 Mount Taukus (Asia Minor) : 
 
 Arjish-dagh (ancient Argtens) 12,869 
 
 Cheshish-dagh (ancient Olympus) 9,000 
 
 Akavulli Mountains (India), about 8,000 feet 
 
 ViNDHTA Mountains (India), from 2,500 to 8,000 feet. 
 
 Westekn Ghauts (India), from 3,000 to 4,500 feet : 
 
 The highest summit about 8,000 
 
 Neilgherkt Hills (India) : 
 
 Dodabetta Peak c- 8,429 
 
 Easteen (iHauts (India), about 3,000 feet 
 
 Caucasian Mountains (Circassia and Georgia), from 8,000 to 10,000 feet : 
 
 Elburz 18,493 
 
 Kasbek ; 16,592 
 
 Ural Mountains (between Europe and Asia), from 2,000 to 2,500 feet : 
 
 Konjakovski 6,39T 
 
 Mountains op Lebanon (Syria), from C,000 to 7,000 feet: 
 
 Jebel esh Sheikh (ancient Hermon) 11,030 
 
 Jebel Tue oe Mountains of Sinai (Arabia) : 
 
 Jebel Katerine (Mount St, Catherine) 8,593 
 
 Jebel Mousa (Mount Moses) 7,497 
 
 ISLANDS or ASIA. 
 
 Japan Islands : Pudsijamma (Island of Niphon) about 12,000 
 
 Formosa Island : Highest summit 12,000 
 
 Java Island: Slamat 11,800 
 
 Pangeranga (V.) 8,000 
 
 Sumatra Island : Glmong Pasaman (Mount Ophir) 13,800 
 
 BoENEo Island : Mt. Kini Balu (Chinese "Widow) 13,693 
 
 Philippinb Islands : A range of elevated volcanoes. 
 
 Ceylon Island : Pedrotallagalla. 8,324 
 
220". APT E N D I X . 
 
 AFRICA. 
 
 ^Egyptian and Nubian Mj^tintains (west coast of Eed Sea), 3,00a to 4,000 feet. ,?„"['''' 
 
 Mount Agrib , g^gO^ 
 
 Mountains of Abyssinia, from 8,000 to 9,000 feet : 
 
 Abba Yaret ,...., , 15 20O 
 
 Buchat 14 3g4 
 
 Mountains op Zanguebae (Jebel el Kumri, Mountains of the Moon) : 
 
 Mount Kilimandjaro (supposed) 20 000 
 
 Mount Kenia " 20 000 
 
 Kenia (V.) , , 16,000 
 
 NiEUYELDT Mountains (South Africa) : 
 
 Spitz Kop ,,.„.,., ,, 10,240 
 
 Table Mountain, near Cape Town ., 3,583 
 
 Cameroon Mountains: Highest peak 13,760 
 
 Mt. Atlantika ^,000 
 
 Mountains of Kong (Soudan), from 3,000 to 4,000 feet ; 
 
 Mount Loma ,., 5,00(7 
 
 Atlas Mountains (North Africa), from 3,000 to 5,000 feet : 
 
 Mount Miltsin dat. 31° 12' N.) 11,400 
 
 Ilentet 15,000 
 
 Ghabian Mountains (Tripoli) : Highest peak 2,200 
 
 Mountains op Central Africa : Mount Dogem 4,500 
 
 ISLANDS OF AFRICA, 
 
 Madeira Islands: Pico Eufvo ....,, , 6,105 
 
 Canary Islands: Peak of Tenerife 1I,94(> 
 
 Cape Verde Islands: Fogo , ,. 7,884 
 
 Fernando Po Island : Clarence Peak 10,655 
 
 MIdagascar Island, Ankaratra Mountains, from 8,000 to 10,000 feet. 
 
 Bouebon Island : Piton de Neiges 10,385 
 
 OCEANIC A. 
 
 Australia, Australian Alps, mean elevation 2,500 feet. 
 
 Mount Wellington (A"«w ,iSo!rf/i Wales) ,.... 6,510 
 
 Mt. Mitchel " 4,120? 
 
 Mount To-ol (Yictoria), Grampian Mountains ,.^. 4,500 
 
 Mount Bryan (jSoirf/t Australia) - 8,012 
 
 Tulbanop ( West Australia) 5,000 
 
 Tasmania . Wylde's Craig 4,500 
 
 Wew Zealand: Mount Edgecombe 10,000 
 
 Mount Egmont ' &,83!> 
 
 Society Islands : Opureone (Tahiti) 8,000 
 
 Sandwich Islands: Manna Kea (V.\ Hawaii 13,587 
 
 Mauna Loa (V.), Hawaii 18,175 
 
 South Victoria Land : Mount Erehus (V.) 12,400 
 
 Mount Terror 10,900 
 
APPENDIX. 221 
 
 PRINCIPAL RIVERS OF THE WORLD, 
 
 fiHOWIJTG THEIR SOURCES THE COUNTRIES THROUGH WHICH THEY 
 
 FLOW THE SEAS INTO WHICH THEY FALL THEIR APPROXIMATE 
 
 LENGTH AND NAVIGABLE DISTANCE IN ENGLISH MILES. 
 
 After the name of each river follow — 1st (in parenthesis), that of the 
 district in -which it rises ; 2d, in Italics, the countries through which it 
 flows; 3d, the sea or ocean into which it falls; and, lastly, its length, 
 inclusive of the principal windings of its stream, and its navigable distance, 
 when it can be ascertained. 
 
 NORTH -AMERICA. ZZL dIJu" 
 MACKEK-ziBjincluding Peace E. (EockyMts.), — BritisIiPossessions : Arctic . 2,000 
 Nelson, including Saskatchawan E. " " " Iludson B. 1,400 
 St. Lawkknce, with great lakes (Plateau of Minnesota), — ZTiiited States, Can- 
 ada : Gulf of St. Lawrence 2,050 
 
 Navigable foi- ships 660, and by artilidal means for smaller vessels lo witliiii l.'O, miles 
 
 of its source l.SOO 
 
 Ottawa (table-land of Canada), — Canada : St. Lawrence Eiver 450 100 
 
 St. Maukice " " " " 800 100 
 
 Sagtjenat " " " " 230 70 
 
 SoRELLE, or St. John, with Lake Champlain " 1T3 172 
 
 St. Francis (Lake St. Francis), — Canada : " 130 
 
 Chattdieke (Lake Megantic), " " 125 4 
 
 St. John (divide between the IT. S. and Canada), — United States, Canada, 
 
 and. Neio Brunswick : Bay of Fundy. 320 SO 
 
 Penobscot " " — Maine : Atlantic Ocean 275 50 
 
 Kennebeo . " " " " 200 42 
 
 Androscoggin " " ' " " 140 IS 
 
 Conneoticttt " " — Vermont, JV. I/am2)shire, Mas- 
 sachusetts, Connecticut : Long Island Sound 410 50 
 
 Merri.mac (White Mts.), — iV. IlamjysMre, Mass. : Atlantic Ocean 170 5 
 
 HonsATONic (Taghkanic Mts.), — 3fass., Conn. : Long Island Sound 130 14 
 
 IltTDSON (Adnondac Mts.), — A'6^o York : Atlantic Ocean 810 160 
 
 Mohawk " " Hudson Pdvcr 135 
 
 Genesee (Alleghany Mts.), " Lake Ontario 145 6 
 
 Delawaee (Catskill Mts.), — iV. Yor/i:, N. Jersey., Penn. : Delaware Bay . . . 809 75 
 
 Susquehanna (Alleghany Mts.), — If. York, Penn., Md. : Chesapeake Bay . 450 
 
 Potomac " —Md., Va.: " .. 830 115 
 
 James " — Virginia: a __ 375 jj^q 
 
 EoANOKK " ' — Virgina, N. Carolina : AlhetnarlG Sonnd. 275 75 
 
 Neuse — North Carolina : Pamlico Sound 250 45 
 
 Cape Feak — North Carolina : Atlantic Ocean 250 100 
 
 Great Pedee " — N. and S. Carolina : " 875 14 
 
 Santee « " « 360 150 
 
222 APPENDIX. 
 
 Total Nav'e 
 Lengtli. Dist. 
 
 Savannah (Alleghany Mts.), — Georgia, South Carolina : Atlantic Ocean. . . 830 135 
 
 Altamaha " — Georgia : Atlantic Ocean 320 190 
 
 St. Jou:<'s (Everglades),— i^'foricZa ; " 230 175 
 
 Appalachicola, with Chattahoochee Eiver (Alleghany Mts.), — Georgia, 
 
 Alabama, Flonda : Gulf of Mexico 470 270 
 
 Flint (Alleghany MX^.^— Georgia : Appalachicola Eiver 275 80 
 
 MoiiiLE, with Alabama and Coosa Elvers (Alleghany Mts.), — Georgia, Ala- 
 bama : GuUf of Mexico 1.090 867 
 
 ToMciGBEE (Alleghany Mts.), — 3Iississippi, Alabama : Gulf of Mexico 475 860 
 
 Black Waekiok " — Alabama : Tombigbee Eiver 300 133 
 
 Peap.l (table-land. Miss.), — Mississippi : Gulf of Mexico 330 
 
 Mississippi (Lake Itasca), — Slin., Wis., Iowa, HI., Mo., Ky., Tenn., Ark., 
 
 Miss., La. : Gulf of Mexico , 2,500 2,200 
 
 Eed (Llano Estaeado), — Tennessee, Arkansas, La. : Mississippi Eiver 1,200 875 
 
 "Washita (Poteau Hills), — Arkansas, Louisiana : Eed Eiver 460 230 
 
 Tazoo (table-land. Miss.), — Blississippi : Mississippi Eiver 350 65 
 
 Arkansas (Eocky Mts.), — Kanzas, Indian Ter., Ark. : Mississippi Eiver . . 2,000 645 
 
 "White (Ozark Eidge), — Missouri, Arkansas : Arkansas Eiver 550 140 
 
 St. Feancis " " " Mississippi Eiver 825 100 
 
 Ohio, with Alleghany Eiver (Alleghany Mts.), — Pennsylvania, New York, 
 
 Ohio, Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois : Mississippi Eiver 1,800 943 
 
 Monongahela (Alleghany Mts.), — Virginia, Pen/nsylvania : Ohio Eiver .. 300 140 
 
 Mttskinguii (table-land, Ohio),— C/tio .• " .. 250 100 
 
 Gt. Kanawha (Alleghany Mts.), — Virginia: .. 400 66 
 
 Scioto (table-land, Ohio),— OAio; " .. 200 ISO 
 
 Licking (Cumberland Mta),— Kentucky : " . . 180 70 
 
 Miami (table-land, Ohio),— 0/ito.- " .. 100 75 
 
 Kentucky (Cumberland Mta.),— Kentucky : " . . 800 60 
 
 Geeen " • " « .. 800 175 
 
 "Wabash (table-land, Ohio),— Indiana, Illinois : " . . 500 800 
 
 CuMBEELAND (Cumberland Mts.), — Tennessee, Kentucky : " .. 550 120 
 Tennessee, with Holston Eiver (Alleghany Mts.), — Virginia, Tennessee, 
 
 Alabama, Mississippi, Kentucky : Ohio Eiver 1,200 276 
 
 Kaskaskia (Grand Prairie), — Illinois : Mississippi Elver 800 7 
 
 MissouEi (Eocky Mts.), — Nebr., Min., la., Kan., Mo. : Mississippi Eiver . . . 8,100 1,80(! 
 
 Fnun the mouth of tlie Missouri to the Gull" of I!e.\ico the distance la 1,350 miles— 
 iiiiiliins the total length of the Missouri ^,450 miles. 
 
 Yellow Stone (Eocky Mis..),— Nebraska, : Missouri Elver 750 lH 
 
 Platte « « « 1^200 01 
 
 Kansas (Great Vlain),— Kansas : " 600 15a 
 
 Osage " — Kansas, Missouri : " 450 165 
 
 Illinois, with Kankakee Eiver (Indiana),— /tic?.. III. : Mississippi Elver.. . . 435 230 
 
 Des Moines (Coteau des Prairies),— J'/i7i??esofa, /oMfl .• " ... 400 200 
 
 Iowa « —Iowa : «' . . .. gOO 70 
 
 EocK ("Wisconsin), — Wisconsin, Illinois : Mississippi Eiver 275 170 
 
 "Wisconsin (Ontonagon Eidge),— Wisconsin ; " 400 120 
 
 Chippewa " « " 260 70 
 
 Bt.Ceoix " —Wise, Min.; « 225 SO 
 
APPENDIX. 223 
 
 Total NiiT'8 
 Length. Dist. 
 
 St. Peters (Coteau des Prairies),— J/ire. / Mississippi Eiver 300 100 
 
 Sabine (Red liiver divide), — Texas : Gulf of Mexico 460 
 
 Teinity " " " 530 60 
 
 Beazos " " " 750 250 
 
 Colorado (Llano Estacado), " " 690 220 
 
 Nueces (Guadelupe Mts.),— Texas : Gulf of Mexico 350 loo 
 
 Eio Gkande (Kooky Mts.),— iV. Mexico, Texas, Mexico : Gulf of Mexico . . . 2,000 700 
 CoATZACOALCOS (Cordilleras), — Mexico : "... 120 20 
 
 TJsumasinta " — Guatemala, Mexico : " ... 250 120 
 
 HuMUTA, including TJlua (Cordilleras of C. Amer.),—ir„iiduras : Caribbean S. 250 
 Cholutkca, " " G. ofFonseca 150 
 
 San Juan (Cordilleras of C. Amer.),— Z. Mcaragua, Nicaragua : Oarib. S. 220 220 
 
 Mexoala, with the Zacatula (Cordilleras),— J/eajico .• Pacific Ocean 600 
 
 Eio Grande de Santiago (Lake Lerma), — 3fex., Quera., Micho., G^ian., 
 
 Guadalaxaru : Pacific Ocean 400 
 
 Colorado (Rocky Mts.),— Ore£7., Utah, N. 3fex., Calif., 3Iex. : G. of California 1 ,350 250 
 
 Gila (Sierra Madre >, — Nexo 3fexiao : Colorado Eiver 650 
 
 San Joaquin (Sierra Nevada),— Cait/brma .• Sacramento Eiver 350 50 
 
 Sacramento " " San Francisco Bay 450 150 
 
 Columbia (Eocky Mts.),— .BHi. Possessions, TTas/t'w, Oregon : Pacific Ocean. 1,800 135 
 
 Lewis' Fork (Eocky Kts.),— Oregon, Washington : Columbia River 750 
 
 Clark's Fork " — Washington: " 500 
 
 "Willamette (Cascade Mts.),—C>r€e'o?i ; " 225 1,5 
 
 Feazee (Lake Stuart),— British Possessions : Gulf of Georgia 500 
 
 KwicHPAK (Eocky Mts.), " ^its*ia»Pos««s. ; Behring Sea. 1,000 
 
 SOUTH AMERICA. 
 
 Magdalena (Andes), — New Granada : Caribbean Sea 860 400 
 
 Orinoco (Parime Mountains), — Venezuela : Atlantic Ocean 1 ,200 800 
 
 EssEQuiBO (Sierra Acaray), — British Guiana : " 450 60 
 
 Demeraea " — G^dana : Atlantic Ocean 180 
 
 Beebice " " " 250 1G5 
 
 COEENTTN « « " 875 150 
 
 Surinam " « « 300 ' 150 
 
 Amazon, or Maranon (Andes'), — Ecuador, Brazil : Atlantic Ocean 8,900 8,662 
 
 Negeo (Plateau of New Granada),— A''. Granada, Brazil: Amazon Eiver... 1,400 800 
 
 TJcAYALi f Andes of Peru),— Pern ; " • • 1,000 200 
 
 Madeira (Andes of Bolivia),— Bolivia, Brazil : " • • 2,000 1,000 
 
 TocANTiNS, with Para (Serra dos Yertentes),— Brazil : Atlantic Ocean 1,400 500 
 
 Paenahiba (Serra Borborema), " " 650 
 
 San Francisco (Mountains of Brazil), " " 1,500 
 
 Parana, with Eio de la Plata (Serra dos Vertentcs),- .ffmsiZ, Paraguay, 
 
 Argentine Republic : — Atlantic Ocean • • 2,350 1,250 
 
 PAKAGtTAT (Geral yit^.),— Brazil, Argentine Republic: Parana Eiver 1,500 1,000 
 
 PiLCOMATo (Andes of Bolivia),— .BoZwto, Argmtine Rejpub. : Paraguay E. . 900 
 
224 APPENDIX. 
 
 Total Nav'e 
 Length. Diat. 
 
 Veemejo (Plateau of Despoblado), — Argentine RepuNio: Paraguay Eiver. 750 
 Salado " " Parana Eiver . . . 1,000 600 
 Ueuguay (Serra do Mar),— £/'a3U, Uruguay : Eio de la Plata 800 
 
 EUROPE. 
 
 ToLGA (Plateau of YaUai),—liussia : Caspian Sea 2,200 l^SOO 
 
 Don (Gt. European Plain), " Sea of Azof 1,000 TOO 
 
 DsiEPBE " " Black Sea 1,200 1,100 
 
 Dniester (Carpathian Mountains), — Galicia, Russia : Black Sea 500 43 
 
 Danube (Schwarz Wald), — Germany, Hungary, Turkey : " 1,680 1,500 
 
 Po (Alps),— /toZy ; Adriatic Sea 450 280 
 
 TiBEE (Apennines), — Italy : Mediterranean Sea 210 47 
 
 Ehone (Alps), — Switzerland, France : Mediterranean Sea 490 200 
 
 Ebro (Cantabrian Mountains), — Spain: " 420 220 
 
 GuADALQXjivEK (Table-land of Spain),— Spain : Atlantic Ocean 290 150 
 
 GuADiANA " — Spain, Port. : " 450 35 
 
 TAGII8 " " " 510 90 
 
 DouRO " " " 460 110 
 
 Gaeonne (Pyrenees), — France : Bay of Biscay 850 260 
 
 Loire (Cevennes), " " 570 340 
 
 Seine (Plateau of Langres), — France : English Channel 430 850 
 
 Scheldt (Plain of North Vrance),— France, Belgium : North Sea 250 140 
 
 Ehine (Alps), — Switzerland, Germany, etc. : " 760 550 
 
 "Wesee (Harz Mountains), — Germ,any : " 880 26 
 
 Elbe (Bohmerwald Mts.), " " 690 430 
 
 Odee (Carpathian Mts.), " Baltic Sea 550 810 
 
 Vistula (Carpathian Mountains),— PoZaraci, Prussia : Baltic Sea 628 
 
 NiEMEN (Great European Plain), — Russia, Prussia : " 400 
 
 DuNA (Plateau of Valdai), —Russia : Gulf of Eiga 550 
 
 Neva (from Lake Ladoga), " Gulf of Finland 45 
 
 Gota (from Lake Wener),— Sweden : Cattegat 58 
 
 Glommon (Scandinavian Mountains),— iVbrMay ; Skager-rack 400 
 
 DwiNA (Great European Plain), — Russia : White Sea 760 
 
 Petchoea (Ural Mountains), " Arctic Ocean 900 ,,^ 
 
 Spbt (Grampian Mountains),— /Sco^ta?i<^ ; North Sea 96 
 
 Tat " " " , ....120 85 
 
 Forth (Grampian Mts.), — Scotland : North Sea 150 40 
 
 Tweed (Lowther Hills), '• " 96 10 
 
 Tyne (Pennine Chain),— £'«s'toifZ.- « 70 12 
 
 C OusE (Pennine Chain), — ) 
 
 HuMBEE < „ > England • North Sea 180 40 
 
 ^ Trent (Staffordsh. Moorl'ds) ) 
 
 Thames (Cotswold Hills), " " 215 170 
 
 Severn (Welsh Mountains),— Wales, England : Bristol Channel 240 150 
 
 Dee '- " Irish Sea 75 20 
 
 Mersey (Pennine Ghs-m),— England : Irish Sea . , 170 43 
 
 Eden •- « Solway Firth 80 15 
 
APPENDIX. 225 
 
 Total Nav'e 
 Length. Dist. 
 
 Clyde (Lowther 'Hms),—Scotland : Firth of Clyde 98 85 
 
 LiPFET (Mountains of Wickloyf),— Ireland : Irish Sea 75 
 
 Baeeow (Slieve Bloom Mts.), " 'Waterford Harbor 105 60 
 
 Sote « « " 100 36 
 
 Shastnon (Mountains of Cavan), " Atlantic Ocean 224 20o 
 
 BoYNE (Central Fla.m),— Ireland : Irish Sea 80 19 
 
 ASIA. 
 
 Oei (Altai Mountains),— ^j&eWa / Arctic Ocean 2,530 900 
 
 Tbnesbi " " " 2,000 540 
 
 I-BNA " " " 2,400 800 
 
 AjaooR (Mongolia),— SlonffoUa, Ifanchooria : Gulf of Tattary , . . 2,300 
 
 HoANG-Ho (Kuenlun Mountains),— (7/wmo ; Yellow Sea , , 2,600 500 
 
 Tang-tse-kiang " " " ..,,,...., 8,200 700 
 
 CHoo'KiAua (Nan-ling Mountains^— C/ifea ; China Sea , 1,100 870 
 
 May-kiang (Tibet),— K5e*, China, Cambodia : " 1,300 500 
 
 Meinam (Mts. of Yunnan),— C/cJraa, Laos, Siam: Gulf of Siam 900 
 
 Salubn (Plateau of Tibet),— Tii&e^, China, etc.: Gulf of Martaban 1,700 
 
 Ikawady " -Sirniah : Bay of Bengal 1,100 COO 
 
 Beamahpootea " — Assam, Hindoostan : Bay of Bengal 1,600 650 
 
 Ganges (Himalaya Mountains),— /«-(?*« .■ Bay of Bengal ,.,... 1,460 900 
 
 GoDATEKY (The Gha.utSi),—IIindoosta7i ; Indian Ocean. < 700 60 
 
 KiSTNAH " " " 650 
 
 Cauveky " « " 4ro 
 
 Indtis (Plateau of Tibet), — India : ArabiaB Sea 1,700 942! 
 
 EnpHKATES (Plat, of Armenia),— T'iM'iey in Asia ; Persian Gulf 1,700 1,000 
 
 Tigris " " Euphrates Elver 1,150 820 
 
 Kite " —Georgia : Caspian Sea, S20 
 
 Jordan (Mountains of Lebanon), — Palestine : Dead Sea 237 
 
 Ural, or laik (Ural Mts.), — between Europe and Asia : Caspian Sea 1,160 
 
 Amoo, or Jihon (Plateau of Ywsivc),—Toorkistan : Sea of Aral 1,300 
 
 AFRICA. 
 
 Nue (Plateau Central Africa),— Z>o«(7a, Miiia, Egypt : MediteiTanean Sea. 8,600 
 
 Senegal (Mts. of Western SaaAsLn),—Sen6ffamdia : Atlantic Ocean , , 900 400 
 
 Gambia " " " 650 300 
 
 Qtjokea, or Niger (Mts. of Kong),— Soudan : Gulf of Guinea - . 2,500 730 
 
 Zaire, or Congo (Plateau Central Africa),— Coragro ; Atlantic Ocean 1,200 
 
 CoANZA " —Angola : " 500 
 
 Gaeiep, or Orange (Meuveldt Mts.),— ^. Africa : " 1,050 
 
 Zambbze (interior of Africa),— ^a«f Africa : Indian Oceail 1,600 
 
 OCEANICA. 
 
 AluPvKAY CWarragong Mountains),— ^ws^/'aMa -■ Indian Ocean , 1,280 8T5 
 
 Swan Biter (Darling Eange), " " 250 10 
 
 Deewent (Lake St. Claii),—Ta^maMa : Pacific OceaQ - 140 20 
 
 'Wmkato.—^N&w Zealand : Pacific Ocean. 
 

 
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