126 SUPPLEMENTAL HISTORY OP MAN. 



mosphere is 32,3251bs., upon the whole surface of 

 the body, calculated by the barometer at 30 inches. 

 On ascending to a height of 12,000 feet, the baro- 

 meter stands at 20| inches, and the pressure is re- 

 duced to 21,750lbs. At this elevation there are im- 

 mense tracts of land in South America, well stocked 

 with inhabitants. Conclamine and Bouguer lived for 

 three weeks with their attendants as high as 14,604 

 French feet above the level of the sea, where the ba- 

 rometer stood at 15 inches 9 lines, and the pressure 

 was only 16,9201bs. There are extensive plains 

 in the Peruvian territory at an elevation of 9000 

 feet, and the interior provinces of Mexico, con- 

 taining half a million of square miles, present a level 

 altitude of between 6000 and 8000 feet. The city 

 of Mexico is 7475 feet above the level of the sea, 

 and that of Quito 9550. The highest inhabited spot 

 on the surface of our globe is said to be the hamlet 

 of Antisana, 13,500 feet above the level of the sea, 

 and Humboldt ascended Chimboraco to the height 

 of 19,300 feet*. We never find men living under a 

 greater degree of pressure than that first mentioned, 

 the depth to which mining has been extended not 

 much affecting this question. In diving, indeed, a 

 considerable increase of pressure may be borne ; as, 

 on the other hand, those who have ascended in 

 balloons beyond any point of elevations on the sur- 

 face of the earth, have consequently experienced a 



* One of the Himalayan peaks is much higher. 



