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132 



GEOGRAPIiy. 



[Sect, V. 



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or smootli and 



be obtained as with the barometer, but much may be 

 done with the help of w^ell -graduated thermometers. 



2, Mountaiii ranges. — The most important features in 

 the configuration of a country are the mountain rano^s bv 

 which it is traversed. The exact point of distinction be- 

 tween a hill and a mountain is difficult to describe : in 

 some cases it will be purely comparative, in others it will 

 depend on the general character of the country, and in 

 some it will be arbitrary. But in all cases it will be de- 

 sirable to endeavour to ascertain the height of the princi- 

 pal points, the direction of the main ranges or chains, 

 and whether they are parallel or not. The ridges also 

 may be serrated O'agged like a saw), 

 even, and the summits themselves will be either pointed, 

 or dome-shaped, or flat. Is the mountain insulated or 

 not? and if so, is it conical and sloping on all side_ 

 to the surrounding plains, or does it consist of a detached 

 ridge ? Many of these points will be found to dep(^nd on 

 the geological formation of the country, and this branch 

 of our subject is very closely connected with that science 

 It is also desirable to ascertain how far the mountain 

 tops are covered with perpetual snow, and how far down 

 their sides snow lies during the whole vear. Is th 

 marked difference in the slope on the one side or on the 

 otiier ? Does vi;getatioii abound more on one side than 

 on the other ? e.g. in Asia Minor all the mountain r.n-es 

 which extend from E. to W,, and this is their principal 



on their northern flanks with luxu- 



s 



ere "'ly 



direction, are covered 



riant v cgctation and magnificent forests, while the southern 

 flauks, exposed to the rays of an almost tropical sun, are 

 void of vegetation, barren, and generally rocky. Here, 



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