The Earth, on which we live, is nearly a round body, the distance through the centre from north to south, being twenty-six miles less, than the distance through from west to east. That it is a round body is proved, 1st, By having been circumnavigated, or sailed round; 2d, From the appearance of a vessel approaching the land, the top of the masts being seen first; 3d, By the shadow of the earth upon the moon, during an eclipse of the moon.

This cut represents, in a striking manner, the mines and caverns as they exist under the land and ocean. The mine here exhibited, is a picture of a salt mine in Poland, Europe. The grotto is under the island Antiparos in the Mediterranean Sea. A mine is a cavern made by man, in digging for the articles found in the earth. A grotto is a cavern formed by nature.

Physical Geography, or Geography of the Earth, is a description of the earth’s structure and surface. The surface consists of two elements, viz, water and land; only one-third part being land.

Civil or Political Geography defines the boundaries and extent of the various countries in possession of the different nations of the earth. Civil Geography also treats of government, religion, commerce, the characteristic features of the principal races of men, and various other subjects.

Statistical Geography is a description of States, Kingdoms, Empires, or Cities, with reference to their population and resources.

WATER.

Comprises Oceans, Seas, Lakes, Gulfs or Bays, Havens or Harbours, Straits, Channels, Sounds, and Rivers.

An Ocean is a large expanse of water not separated by land.

A Sea is a lesser extent of water than an ocean, almost surrounded by land.

A Lake is a large collection of water in the interior of a country;—generally fresh. A salt water lake is called a Sea.

A Gulf or Bay is a part of the sea extending up into the land.

A Haven or Harbour is a small portion of water, almost enclosed by land, where ships may lie safely at anchor.

A Strait is a narrow communication between two large collections of water. If it be so shallow as to be sounded, it is called a Sound.

A Channel is the deepest part of a river. A Strait is also sometimes called a Channel.

The vapours which rise from the surface of the earth ascend to the clouds, whence they fall in dew, snow, or rain, to water the earth, and supply springs, and small streams or rivers.

A River is an inland stream of water flowing from an elevated portion of land into some larger stream or body of water. The commencement of a river is called its SOURCE, or RISE; the direction to which it flows, its COURSE; and its communication with any other water, its MOUTH.

If the mouth of a river, which flows into an ocean or sea be wide, and is affected by tides, it is called an Estuary or Frith.

A Cataract or Falls is formed by a sudden declivity or precipice in the course of a river, over which the water falls with great force.

A Canal is an artificial passage for water, supplied from an elevated lake or river; and is constructed for the purpose of inland navigation. Canals often pass under mountains and over rivers.

Standing water, and low grounds filled with water, are called Morasses, Bogs, and Fens; or, as in the United States, Swamps.

LAND.

Is divided into Continents, Islands, Peninsulas, Isthmuses, and Capes; and is diversified by Plains, Mountains, and Valleys.

A Continent is a large tract of land nowhere entirely separated by water. There are two continents, viz. the Western and Eastern.

An Island is a portion of land surrounded by water.

A Peninsula is a portion of land almost surrounded by water.

An Isthmus is the neck of land which joins a peninsula to the main land.

A Cape is a point of land, projecting into the sea. A mountainous Cape is called a Promontory.

A Plain is a large extent of level country. A plain naturally destitute of trees is called a Prairie; when entirely destitute of vegetation, it is called a Desert.

A Mountain is a lofty elevation of land. If it send forth smoke and flame, it is called a Volcano.

The opening at the top of a volcano, from whence issues the flame, smoke, &c., is called a Crater.

If the elevation of a mountain be small, it is then called a Hill.

A Valley is a tract of land, bounded by hills, and generally watered by a river.

A Shore or Coast is that part of the land which borders upon a body of water.