How far do China and Malaya extend? What can you say of the climate and productions?

II. What articles of food, and materials for clothing are found here? What is the state of population, and of the common people? What effect does necessity produce on the character of the people? What are the chief exports?

ARABIA.

339. The interior of Arabia is inhabited by wandering Arabs, who live in tents, and subsist by pasturage and robbery.

The inhabitants of the coast live in towns and cities, and are much more advanced in civilization. (See chart of the World.)

The climate of Arabia is very hot and dry, and the interior is a sandy desert, where water is seldom found. This was the wilderness' which the Israelites crossed in going from Egypt to Canaan.

Questions on the map.-I. How is Arabia bounded? What do you find in the interior? What mountains are the principal? What remarkable mountain near the Red Sea? Are there any considerable rivers? What is the capital?

II. What is the port of Mecca on the Red Sea? Which way from Mecca is Medina? What is the principal place in the east? Where is Mocha? What place is near it? What place in the S. E., and how situated? What Arabian island near Cape Guardafui? What wind blows here? (See CXVI. g.)

INDIA.

340. This name comprehends the two peninsulas of Southern Asia which are east of Arabia, divided into India within the Ganges, and India without, or east of the Ganges.

The name India, or East Indies, is often used to include China and the Asiatic Islands also.

These peninsulas are remarkable for the number and size of their rivers, which, united with the heat of the climate, make them the most fertile countries on earth. HINDOOSTAN,

A Widow on the funeral pile of her husband. 341. It is one of the religious customs of the Hindoos, that widows should be burned or buried alive, with the dead bodies, of their husbands; and hundreds are thus destroyed every year.

Hindoostan is divided into a great number of small kingdoms; but the British govern almost all that portion which lies on the Bay of Bengal and the Ganges.

It is a very hot, but moist country, producing the finest fruits and plants in abundance. (See 336, 337.) The people are effeminate, indolent, and extremely vicious.

Questions on the map.-I. How is Hindoostan bounded?

What mountains are there on the north? What is the chief river? What three rivers in the southern part? What is the capital? Where is Delhi, the former capital?

II. Where is Agra? Mention the chief cities on the Ganges in their order. What are the eastern and western coasts called? What places on the eastern coast? What on the western coast? How is Bombay situated? What cities in the interior of the southern part of Hindoostan? What in the western part? Where is Golconda, celebrated for its diamonds? What is the southern cape of Hindoostan? What small islands are near it? What large island? What missionary stations are there in Hindoostan?

CEYLON.

342. Ceylon is a large fertile island, which produces almost all the cinnamon brought from India.

It abounds in precious stones, and has a pearl fishery on its coast.

The coasts of this island are possessed by the British. It contains a large number of Catholics.

Questions on the map.-I. Where does Ceylon lie? What is the chief town? Where is Trincomaly?

INDIA, WITHOUT THE GANGES.

343. This part of India lies south of Thibet, between the Ganges and the Chinese Sea, including the empires of Birmah and Tonkin, with Siam and Malaya. BIRMAH, OR BIRMAN EMPIRE.

Elephants carrying burdens. 344. The Birman empire produces very fine ele

phants, which are trained for riding and carrying burdens, and even assist in unlading ships.

This empire includes Ava, Pegu, and several small kingdoms, subdued by the more active and warlike Birmans.

The climate is cooler than that of Hindoostan, from the greater height of the land, but is still very hot. The people are lively and intelligent, and acquainted with many of the arts; but they are extremely cruel in their punishments, and barbarous in many of their

customs.

Questions on the map.-I. How is the Birman Empire bounded? What is the chief river? What is the capital?

II. What seaport in the south? What places on the River Irrawady? Where is Arracan? (Clim. & Prod. 336, 337.)

345. In Siam, as in many of the neighbouring countries, the inhabitants are obliged to build their houses on posts, to avoid the annual floods of their rivers, which cover the country with water, but render the soil very fertile.

It is a small but rich and flourishing kingdom, with a climate and people like those of Birmah.

Questions on the map.-I. Where does Siam lie? Is it a large kingdom? What is the capital? (Prod. 336, 7.)

346. The Empire of Tonkin is said to extend over all the countries east of Birmah and Siam, including Cochin China, Cambodia and Laos, but very little is known certainly concerning these countries.

prayers,

In Tonkin it is said the people write their and the priests burn them before their idols. Although they are very superstitious, they are generally intelligent, active and industrious, and distinguished among Asiatics for honesty.

Questions on the map.-I. In what direction from Birmah is Tonkin? What countries does it embrace? How is it bounded? What river passes through it? What is the capital? What other principal place? What place in Cambodia? What gulf on the east, and what island? (Clim. and Prod. 336, 337.)

MALAYA.

347. Malaya, or Malacca, is a hot, but productive country, containing many independent kingdoms.

The people of this peninsula are bold and enterprising, but remarkable for treachery and cruelty.

Questions on the map.-1. How is Malacca bounded? What is the chief town? (Clim. and Prod. 336, 337.)