( 19* ) 
poles, are called Meridians. They pafs through 
every tenth degree of the Equator, and ferve 
to mark the longitude: they are imaginary 
circles which would be formed by a line 
drawn upon the Earth over the fpot to which 
the fun is vertical at every tenth degree. 
The curve lines which are drawn from every 
tenth degree on the Horizon, ferve to mark 
the latitude. By latitude is meant the dif- 
tance from the Equator north and fouth. 
Longitude is the diftance, eaft or weft, from 
any particular Meridian: in our maps, it is 
generally taken from that of the Obfervatory 
at Greenwich. 
You know, our firft great divifion of the 
Earth is into what are called four quarters: 
Europe, Afia, Africa and America. Thefe 
we will fuccefllvely contemplate. But be- 
fore we take our leave of this general map 
of the World, it is neceflary that you fhould 
particularly notice the fituation of thefe four 
quarters relative to each other. The north- 
ern henaifphere, you fee, is occupied by Eu- 
rope, Afia, the greateft part of Africa, and 
North America. In the fouthern, we find 
no land except South America, part of 
Africa, New Holland, and a confiderable 
number of iflands in the Pacific Ocean. 
Our 
