THE WORLD. 



178 



ing about the same relative proportion, as the thickness of this pa- 

 per to an artificial sphere a foot in diameter. The inequalities 

 and crevices in the varnish of such a sphere, would proportion- 

 ately represent the highest mountains, and deepest valleys. In 

 the following diagram, frdm the Penny Cyclopedia, the relative 

 proportions of the crust of the earth, and the inequalities of its 

 surface, as compared with the mass of our planet, are attempted 

 to be shown. 



The line from c to k, represents a depth of 500 miles, to the 

 point i, a depth of 100 miles, and to the line b, 45 miles above 

 the surface, the supposed limit of the earth's atmosphere. The 

 dark line represents a thickness of ten miles, the estimated thick- 

 ness of the crust of the earth ; the points d e f g, indicate the 

 altitudes of the highest mountains in the world. The highest 

 peak in Europe, being Mont Blanc, which is 15,660 feet above 

 the level of the sea ; and in America, Mount Sorata, Andes, 25,- 

 400 feet, and in Asia, Chumularee, Himalayah, estimated at 29,- 

 000 feet, being more than five miles of perpendicular altitude. 

 The depth of the sea is shown by the line a h, at the extremity 

 of the arc. When we consider that the altitude of the highest 

 mountains bears so small a proportion to the probable thickness 

 of the earth's crust, we will be prepared to admit the possibility 

 that they might once have been the bed of the ocean, and may 

 hare been raised to their present situations by subterranean 

 agency, 



