('liaj)ter I. 



XATIYK MAilKET IN VCANIiA. 



Certainly no one of the forermmeis of the Dvike of the 

 Ahruzzi had succeeded in actually expl(irin<;- the chain, tliat is to 

 say, in obtaining the comprehensive kntrodedge requisite in 

 order to describe the general formation of the line of watershed, 

 the con figuration of the mountains, the relative heiii'ht of the 

 (litferent peaks, their connection witli the several valleys, and 

 the extent and piosition of the glaciers. 



The chief explorers had obseryed that the snow-peaks fall 

 into four distinct groups. It was not known. howe\"er. wliether 

 these groups were coiniected l)y high ridges or (li\'ided by deep 

 ^•alleys. 



In the absence of systematic exploration it was impossible to 

 bring into relation to one another the different descriptions of 

 peaks as seen from diyerse points. The confusion between the 

 several names given to them increased the difficulty of comparing 

 the dit!'erent reports. In addition to all tliis, it liad been given 



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