AMERICA.

Situation and extent. America forms the western continent, and is separated from the eastern continent by the Atlantic ocean. It is upwards of 9,000 miles in length and is usually accounted the largest of the four quarters of the globe. Discovery. America was unknown to the civilized world, till near the end of the 15th century, and from this circumstance, it is often called the New World. It was discovered in 1492, by Christopher Columbus, a native of Genoa, who sailed under the patronage of Ferdinand and Isabella, sovereigns of Castile and Aragon, in Spain. The first land that was seen, was one of the Bahama islands. The continent took its name from Americus Vespucius, a native of Florence, who made discoveries 5 or 6 years after the first discovery by Columbus.

Climate. This continent has every variety of climate, but the climate generally differs from that of the other, by a greater predominance of cold. It is calculated that the heat is at 10 degrees less, than in the same parallels in the eastern continent.

Productions. America abounds in almost all the varie. ties of the animal, vegetable, and mineral productions. Inhabitants. The inhabitants may be divided into three classes, Whites, Negroes, and Indians.

The whites are descendants of Europeans, who have migrated to America since its discovery. They constitute more than one half of the population.

The negroes are mostly held in slavery, and are descendants of Africans who were cruelly forced from their native country.

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The Indians are the aborigines, and are mostly savages. They are of copper complexion, fierce aspect, tall, straight, athletic, and capable of enduring great fatigue. They are hospitable and generous, faithful in their friendships, but implacable in their resentments. Their com mon occupations are hunting, fishing, and war.

They are generally of roving habits, and live in a very scattered manner, in small tribes, of usually from 500 to 5,000 souls. Their numbers are gradually diminishing.

At the time of the discovery of America, the natives in some parts, particularly Mexico and Peru, were con siderably advanced in civilization. For the most part they continue a distinct people, and retain their savage customs, but in some instances they have mingled with the white population

The Indians still possess the greater part of America. In North America they possess almost all the country except the southern and eastern parts, that is, the northern part of Spanish America, most of that part of the territory of the United States which lies west of the Mississippi, and nearly all the vast regions which lie north of the United States territory and west of the St. Lawrence In South America they possess Patagonia and most of the interior of the continent.

Divisions. America is divided into two parts, North and South America, which are connected by the isthmus of Darien.

NORTH AMERICA.

Divisions. The three principal divisions of North America, are, 1st British America in the north; 2d the United States in the middle; 3d Spanish America in the south. There are, besides Greenland belonging to Denmark, in the northeast; and the Russian settlements in the northwest. France owns the two little islands of Mi quelon and St. Pierre, which lie south of Newfoundland.

Mountains. There are two great ranges of mountains. The largest one is toward the western side of the conti nent, being connected with the Andes of South America, in Mexico cailed the Cordilleras of Mexico, and further

to the north, the Rocky mountains. The other range is in the United States, called the Alleghany or Apalachian

mountains.

Islands. The principal islands are Newfoundland, Cape Breton, St. John's, Rhode Island, Long Island, and the Bermudas. The West India islands lie between

North and South America.

Bays or Gulfs. The five largest bays are Baffin's Bay, Hudson's Bay, the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Gulf of California.

Lakes. The seven largest lakes are Slave lake, Winnipeg, Superior, Haron, Michigan, Erie, and Ontario. The last five form a long chain, and communicate with each other. Lake Superior is the largest collection of fresh water in the known world, and is as much affected by storms as the ocean.

Rivers. The following are some of the principal

Mackenzie's river rises from the Rocky mountains, and takes different names in different parts of its course. is the outlet of Slave lake, and flows into the Frozen

ocean.

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Nelson's river also has its source in the Rocky moun tains. The name of the head branch is Saskasawan. is the outlet of Lake Winnipeg, and flows into Hudson's Bay.

The St. Lawrence is the outlet of the great chain of lakes. It passes by Montreal and Quebec, runs northeasterly, and flows into the Gulf of St. Lawrence. It is navgable for ships of the line to Quebec, and for large vessels to Montreal, 580 miles from the sea.

The Mississippi rises near the west end of Lake Superior, and pursuing a southerly course, flows into the Gulf of Mexico. It receives the waters of many large rivers, and is of uncommon depth, but of difficult navigation. Boats of 40 tons ascend to St. Anthony's falls, about 2,400

miles, but ships seldom ascend above Natchez, upwards of 400 miles. The navigation is greatly facilitated by the use of steam boats. The river overflows its banks every spring, and lays the country, for many miles in extent, under water.

The Missouri is the western branch of the Mississippi, and is properly considered the main stream, being the larger of the two, and much the longer from the source to the point where they unite. It rises from the Rocky mountains, and is navigable for boats to the Great Falls, 3,970 miles, by the river, from the Gulf of Mexico.

The Columbia rises from the Rocky mountains, flows southwesterly, and runs into the Pacific ocean.

The Del Norte or Rio Bravo rises in the Rocky mountains, flows east of south, and runs into the Gulf of Mex. ico. Its navigation is much obstructed by sand-bars.

GREENLAND.

Situation. Greenland belongs to Denmark. It is an extensive country, situated in the northeast part of America, but it has not been ascertained whether it is an island or a part of the continent.

Face of the country. Greenland is a dreary country, composed chiefly of barren and rocky mountains, whose summits are covered with perpetual snow and ice. In a large part of the country, there is little or no vegetation. In the southern parts there are some small trees and shrubs.

Climate. The climate is very severe; the winters long and cold. The thermometer frequently sinks to 48 de, grees below 0.

Inhabitants. The natives are of a low stature, rude and ignorant. They are clothed with skins, and live chiefly on animal food. They have been partially converted to Christianity by the Moravians, who have missionaries at New Herrnhut, Lichtenfels, and Lichtenau. The population has been estimated at 20,000.

Fisheries. Greenland is valuable chiefly on account of its whale fisheries. It exports also the skins of seals, foxes, reindeer, and white bears; feathers, and horns of the sea unicorn.

RUSSIAN AMERICA.

This is an extensive tract of country, in the northwest part of the continent, but the limits are not defined. The number of Russians is stated at only about 1,000, who are engaged in the fur trade. The principal settlements are at Rodiak and Sitcha.

BRITISH AMERICA.

Divisions. British America is a vast extent of country, and includes New Britain, Upper Canada, Lower Canada, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and the islands of Newfoundland, Cape Breton, St. John's and the Bermuda islands. Nine tenths of British America is in the possession of the Indians.

It includes the 4 following provinces, together with Newfoundland and the Bermuda islands.

Government. The government is modelled on the principles of the British constitution. The four provin ces are under a governor general, whose residence is at Quebec, and the governor of each of the 4 provinces, is styled a lieutenant governor. Newfoundland is governed by an admiral.

Religion. The established religion is that of the Church of England, and there are two bishops, one residing at Quebec, and the other at Halifax. But nine tenths of the inhabitants of Lower Canada are Catholics, and