PART III. 



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PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 



IN geography there are discussed several matters pertain- 

 ing to different categories : mathematical, physical, and 

 political. To the first-mentioned category belong questions 

 relative to the earth as part of the solar system. To the 

 last-mentioned belong questions relative to the human 

 population in their relations as subjects of different king- 

 doms, or citizens of different states. Under the head of 

 physical geography are discussed questions relative to the 

 geological formation; the contour of divisions of a country, 

 more or less extensive ; the phenomena of tides and cur- 

 rents; modifications in the atmosphere with regard to 

 weight, temperature, humidity, and motion ; and, in con- 

 nection with this, the flora, fauna, and ethnographical 

 relations of inhabitants of different countries. 



In the following statement I shall follow generally the 

 division thus indicated ; but some of the matters are so 

 correlated that notices of matters pertaining, strictly 

 speaking, to one, may find its place amongst details given 

 of matters pertaining to another, where I find this con- 

 venient and justifiable; and what relates to the ethno- 

 graphy of the region I may afterwards bring under con- 

 sideration in a separate work. 



