362 MOUNTAIN SYSTEMS. 



cnAPTEK both these accounts ; and with the view of connecting 



^^^Xi^^ it with the volcanoes discovered by Klaproth and Abel 



Remusat mentioned in very ancient Chinese books, as 



existing in the interior of Asia, to the north and south 



of Teen-shaw. 



Plains and In the succeeding section of this work on Central 



mountain Asia, Baron Humboldt supplies an exceedinprly interest- 

 Fvstems. ' ' ^ 1 , 



ing and valuable account of the general character and 



relative features of the great plains and mountain systems 

 of the continent of Asia. In no portion of his researches 

 are the great value of his varied acquirements and ex- 

 tended observations more apparent. Not only does he 

 deduce from his investigations of these external features 

 Katural laws, of our planet, new illustrations of the laws which govern 

 its internal constitution, and produce those great com- 

 motions of which the vast mountain chains and conca- 

 vities are results, but he also shows the permanent 

 influence which they have exercised on the distribution 

 of planets and animals over the globe, on the repartition 

 of heat throughout the different seasons, and on many of 

 the meteorological changes which exercise so important 

 an influence on climate, and on animal and vegetable life. 

 Influence on Their very direction appears to have largely affected 

 tioii'' ™'^"' the earliest migrations of the human race, and no doubt 

 also guided the course pursued in the divergence of ani- 

 mal life of every degree from the original Asiatic centre 

 to which sacred history and modern science alike point 

 as the scene of creation. 

 Systematic In pursuing his investigations into the physical phe- 



UumboidL nomena of the Asiatic continent. Baron Humboldt has 

 aimed at reducing these to their most simj)le elements. 

 lie has accordingly, in considering the plains and moun- 

 tain systems of Asia, regarded Europe as a part of it, 

 setting aside what are fully as much political as physical 

 lines of demarcation, he regards Europe as a peninsular 

 prolongation of Asia, which from the extent of the sur- 

 face over which the conjunction is prolonged, affords 

 abundant opportunity for the continuation of the same 



