117 
angles of elevation, taken at determinate stations, 
would solve this question more clearly than a 
complete trigonometrical survey, the result of 
which is affected by the errors, which may take 
place both in the measurement of the basis, and 
in that of the oblique angles. 
When we consider the physiognomy of the 
mountains on each continent, we discover an 
analogy of form, which we could not have ex- 
pected, if we reflect on the concurrence of the 
forces, which in the primitive world have acted 
tumultuously on the softened surface of our 
planet. The fire of volcanoes raises cones of 
ashes and pumice stones, where it penetrates 
through a crater ; immense swellings, like domes 
of extraordinary magnitude, seem owing to the 
expansive force only of the elastic vapours ; 
earthquakes have raised up strata full of sea- 
shells ; and the basins, which now form circular 
vallies, or elevated plains surrounded by moun- 
tains, have been furrowed by the currents of the 
sea. Each country of the Globe has its peculiar 
physiognomy ; but amidst these characteristic 
features, which bestow such a richness and va- 
riety-on the face of nature, we are struck with a 
resemblance of form, founded on an identity of 
local causes and circumstances. When we sail 
amid the Canary islands, and observe the basal- 
tic cones of Lanzerota, of Alegranza, and of 
Graciosa, we seem to view the group of the 
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