ELEMENTAL GEOGRAPHY.
The Earth, on which we live, isnearly a round body, the distance through the centre from north to south, beingtwenty-six miles less, than the distance through from west to east. That it is a round body is proved, 1st,By having been circumnavigated, or sailed round; 2d,From the appearance of a vessel approaching the land, the top of the masts being seen first; 3d,By the shadow of the earth upon the moon, during an eclipse of the moon.
A VIEW OF THE EARTH’S SURFACE, VIZ.MOUNTAINS, RIVERS, OCEAN, ISLAND, &c.MINE.GROTTO.
A VIEW OF THE EARTH’S SURFACE, VIZ.MOUNTAINS, RIVERS, OCEAN, ISLAND, &c.
MINE.GROTTO.
This cut represents, in a striking manner, the mines and caverns as they exist under the land and ocean. The mine here exhibited, is a picture of a salt mine in Poland, Europe. The grotto is under the island Antiparos in the Mediterranean Sea. A mine is a cavern made by man, in digging for the articles found in the earth. A grotto is a cavern formed by nature.
Physical Geography, or Geography of the Earth, is a description of the earth’s structure and surface. Thesurfaceconsists of two elements, viz, water and land; only one-third part being land.
Civil or Political Geographydefines the boundaries and extent of the various countries in possession of the different nations of the earth. Civil Geography also treats of government, religion, commerce, the characteristic features of the principal races of men, and various other subjects.
Statistical Geographyis a description of States, Kingdoms, Empires, or Cities, with reference to their population and resources.
Comprises Oceans, Seas, Lakes, Gulfs or Bays, Havens or Harbours, Straits, Channels, Sounds, and Rivers.
AnOceanis a large expanse of water not separated by land.
ASeais a lesser extent of water than an ocean, almost surrounded by land.
ALakeis a large collection of water in the interior of a country;—generally fresh. A salt water lake is called aSea.
AGulforBayis a part of the sea extending up into the land.
AHavenorHarbouris a small portion of water, almost enclosed by land, where ships may lie safely at anchor.
AStraitis a narrow communication between two large collections of water. If it be so shallow as to be sounded, it is called aSound.
AChannelis the deepest part of a river. A Strait is also sometimes called aChannel.
Thevapourswhich rise from the surface of the earth ascend to the clouds, whence they fall in dew, snow, or rain, to water the earth, and supply springs, and small streams or rivers.
ARiveris an inland stream of water flowing from an elevated portion of land into some larger stream or body of water. The commencement of a river is called itsSOURCE, orRISE; the direction to which it flows, itsCOURSE; and its communication with any other water, itsMOUTH.
If the mouth of a river, which flows into an ocean or sea be wide, and is affected by tides, it is called anEstuaryorFrith.
ACataractorFallsis formed by a sudden declivity or precipice in the course of a river, over which the water falls with great force.
ACanalis an artificial passage for water, supplied from an elevated lake or river; and is constructed for the purpose ofinland navigation. Canals often pass under mountains and over rivers.
Standing water, and low grounds filled with water, are calledMorasses,Bogs, andFens; or, as in the United States,Swamps.
Is divided into Continents, Islands, Peninsulas, Isthmuses, and Capes; and is diversified by Plains, Mountains, and Valleys.
AContinentis a large tract of land nowhere entirely separated by water. There are two continents, viz. the Western and Eastern.
AnIslandis a portion of land surrounded by water.
APeninsulais a portion of land almost surrounded by water.
AnIsthmusis the neck of land which joins a peninsula to the main land.
ACapeis a point of land, projecting into the sea. A mountainous Cape is called aPromontory.
APlainis a large extent of level country. A plain naturally destitute of trees is called aPrairie; when entirely destitute of vegetation, it is called aDesert.
AMountainis a lofty elevation of land. If it send forth smoke and flame, it is called aVolcano.
The opening at the top of a volcano, from whence issues the flame, smoke, &c., is called aCrater.
If the elevation of a mountain be small, it is then called aHill.
AValleyis a tract of land, bounded by hills, and generally watered by a river.
AShoreorCoastis that part of the land which borders upon a body of water.