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interests of which it is his duty to watch over and pro- 

 mote. We are without any of these advantages ; our 

 maps are so inaccurate, that large amounts are some- 

 times wasted in attempting to construct roads and ca- 

 nals which are found to be impracticable, or which lead 

 to no beneficial results when executed. So important 

 is this branch of science considered, that the Govern- 

 ments of Europe have depots of maps from the earliest 

 ages, and that of France, especially, possesses an ex- 

 tensive collection, beginning at the thirteenth century. 

 Societies, too, exist in their principal cities, who aid the 

 Government, by preparing instructions for expeditions, 

 whether for purposes of science or exploration, them- 

 selves giving premiums for maps and charts, and fitting 

 travellers out at their own expense, and sending them 

 to explore unknown regions. In short, these institu- 

 tions spare no pains to encourage and promote the ends 

 of science, and their success has been equal to their 

 zeal. 



Intimately connected with geography, and, indeed, 

 forming a part of it until it was lately erected into a 

 separate science, is Ethnography. It consists of the 

 knowledge of the habits, manners, and customs of the 

 different nations of the earth. Their food, their dress, 

 their festivals, marriages, and funerals; the education 

 of their children ; the rank their women hold in socie- 

 ty* by which the degree of civilization is so clearly 

 defined; the division of labor among them; their mode 

 of living, whether by hunting, fishing, or agriculture ; 

 their traditions, laws and manufactures, and other 

 analogous subjects, make up this important branch of 

 science. 



