154 Reviews* 



to this, and very ably executed. It gives a general view, with 

 valuable tables of the chief elements, of the physical aspects and 

 constituents of the world at large. But the physical geography 

 of every particular country is also fully given, and in close con- 

 nection with the political, or rather intermingled with it. But 

 perhaps the characteristic feature in the plan is the full develop- 

 ment of the river system, and the giving all the towns in connec- 

 tion therewith. It is but lately that this has been even partially 

 attempted, and in no other work is it more than imperfectly, and 

 to a limited extent, carried out. In this manual it is exhibited in 

 singular completeness, — in the minutest details, and to the wid- 

 est extent. The river basins of every country are given, the area 

 of the basin, and the length of the principal river, — all the tribu- 

 taries of this river, with their aflBaents, and, along with this, every 

 city and town of any considerable size and note. The fullest at- 

 tention is bestowed on all the prominent aspects and objects of 

 the several countries. In no work that we have seen is this done 

 in a way so interesting and elaborate. We would specially no- 

 tice what is said as to the coast lines and the lakes. But, next to 

 the river systems, the mountain systems are most fully developed. 

 The great mountain ranges, with all their ramifications, are deli- 

 neated with such fulness and distinctness, that one is made to 

 feel as if from some lofty attitude he were gazing down upon 

 them as with eagle vision. 



The various sciences specially connected with geography are, 

 in all their bearings on it, elaborately considered, — as geology, 

 mineralogy, botany, zoology, climatology, and ethnography. 

 Most valuable tables are given, setting before us at one view the 

 classes, species, number, &c., of the various objects embraced in 

 these sciences. In particular, ethnography, a most interesting 

 science, but generally all but overlooked in such manuals, has re- 

 ceived elaborate attention, and we are presented with all the im- 

 portant results of the latest researches. 



Political geography, we have said, is given in its connection 

 with the physical, and the two branches are thus made to throw 

 light on each other. Statistical tables of singular value are nu- 

 merous, giving, in briefest space and clearest view, the area and 

 population of the continents, and of the several countries and 

 kingdoms, with their capitals. To a very full and distinct deli- 

 neation of the political divisions of each country, descriptive notes, 

 many and rich in interesting information, are appended. We 



