THA.T'8 IT ; 



GEOGRAPHY. 



225. 



THE WESTERN HEMISPHEBE. 



GrEO graph Y is a system descrip- 

 tive of the earth, as is implied 

 by the name, derived from two 

 Greek words— ge, the earth, and 

 graphe, description. Geography 

 may be studied for different 

 objects. If for the purpose of 

 ascertaining the divisions of king- 

 - doms and empires, the nature of 

 their laws, numbers of people, the 

 relative strength of governments, 

 the force of their armies, navies, 

 etc., it constitutes political geo- 

 graphy. If the information 

 sought relates to the natural 



features of the various parts t>f 

 the earth, their climate, barren- 

 ness or fertility, their mountain 

 and river systems, inhabitants, 

 animals, plants, etc., it constitutes 

 natural or physical geography . 

 If the object be to learn the 

 modes of life of different people, 

 their diet, dress, houses, manners, 

 customs, and means and forms of 

 intercourse, it constitutes social 

 geography. If to discover the 

 peculiarities of different races of 

 men, their anatomy, physiology, 

 physiognomy, origin, and inter- 



