296 PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 



main ridge or backbone of the state, described on page 210, is reached, 

 averaging about twenty miles distant from Connecticut river. On the 

 west of this ridge there is a gradual rise along the western boundary from 

 two hundred to three thousand feet, or so that the head of the valley 

 reaches the level of the summit ridge on the north border. The culmi- 

 nating point in the ridge is about one third of the way from the north 

 boundary. 



The following may show the general arrangement of the several areas : 

 The south-east corner, making, with the narrow Connecticut strip, about 

 one sixth of the whole area of the state, lies altogether below 500 feet. 

 The 1000 to I5oo-feet area, occupying about a fifth part of our territory, 

 is situated mainly along the Connecticut-Merrimack ridge, skirting the 

 White Mountains on the east, and then passing up the Androscoggin 

 valley to Umbagog lake. The 500 to looo-feet line embraces certainly 

 two fifths of our area, and lies chiefly between the south-east 5oo-feet line 

 and the Connecticut-Merrimack ridge, the balance occupying the western 

 slope of the state. About one sixth of our area reaches above 2000 feet ; 

 and the balance would be occupied by the i5oo-2OOO-feet surface. This 

 would place the average elevation of the state above the sea at about 

 fourteen hundred feet. 



With the exception of about one twelfth part of our territory, every- 

 thing is susceptible of cultivation. There is good grass land in Stoddard 

 2 1 70 feet above the sea, and perhaps higher, north of Colebrook. Forest 

 trees grow to advantage to the height of 3000 feet among the White 

 Mountains, and will flourish a thousand feet higher if protected from the 

 stronger winds. At 4000 feet the animals and plants common in Green- 

 land and Labrador begin to show themselves, and they extend universally 

 above that level. In subsequent chapters the geographical distribution 

 of animals and plants will be taken up in considerable detail. 



NOTE. For the sake of perfecting the tables of heights, I have sent proof-sheets of this chapter to several 

 gentlemen, and can report from their examinations a few corrections on what has preceded. 



Prof. Quimby reports, upon reexamining his note books, that 118 feet should be added to the height of the 

 Shaker barn, Canterbury (see pp. 242, 277) ; and that 28 feet should be added to the height of North Putney hill, 

 Hopkinton (see pp. 242, 280). The heights of Mts. Moose and Cuba, when calculated from Observatory hill, 

 Hanover, " come out within ten or fifteen feet" of what they are given on page 242. All these altitudes on page 

 242 have been reduced from the original figures given to us, to agree with the known heights of Kearsarge 

 and the state house, by subtracting 55 feet. This has not been done in the case of Mts. Pequawket and Pleasant 

 (p. 280), the figures being given as stated in the published Coast Survey reports. 



