What is signified by the word Delta? It is a term applied to a tract of triangular shaped land, as at the mouth of the Nile. The districts embraced by the outlets of rivers are Deltas. The Niger, Ganges, Mississippi, and other great streams, have each their respective Deltas. What Desert occupies a large portion of the north of Africa? G.-Dt. How long and wide is the Great Desert? This is the largest desert in the world; and though extremely hot, and in most places destitute of water, yet contains a number of fertile spots, called Oases, all of which are inhabited. Which are the five principal Oases? Fn., Tt., As., Bh., Ty. There are four other Oases: which are they? Aa., Sh., E.-Dl., E.-Kh. What is the western part of the Great Desert called? Sa. What is the Capital of Morocco? Mo.- Of Algiers? As.— Of Tunis? Ts.-Of Tripoli? Ti.— Of Fezzan? Mk.-Of Egypt? Co. Of Nubia? N.-Da. — Of Foota Jallon? To. Of Ashantee? Ce. Of Dahomey? Ay.- Of Benin? Bn.-Of Kaarta? Ko. Of Timbuctoo? To. - Of Bambarra? So.. Of Houssa? So. Of Yarriba? Eo. Of Bornou? Ka.-Of Bergoo? Wa. — Of Darfur? Ca. Of Kordofan? It. Of Abyssinia? Gr.-Of Congo? S.-Sr. Of Angola? S.-P.-Lo.-Of Benguela? S.-F.-Ba.―Of Ca Of Mozambique? Of Cape What parts of Africa are crossed by the Tropic of Cancer? G.-Dt., Et. What parts by the Tropic of Capricorn? Hs., D.-Ch., Bs., Me. In what Zone is that part of it north of the Tropic of Cancer? N.-Te. In what Zone is that part of it south of the Tropic of Capricorn? S.-Te. Africa comprises about 37 degrees of North Latitude, and 35 degrees of South Latitude. In what Latitude then is it mostly situated? N.-Le. Africa comprises more than 50 degrees of East Longitude, and about 18 degrees of West Longitude. In what Longitude is it then mostly? E.-Le. 54 MAP NO. 31.- OCEANICA. Which are the three grand divisions of Oceanica? Ma., Aa., Pa. Which is the largest division of Oceanica? Pa. What three considerable Islands does the Equator pass through in Malaysia? Sa., Bo., Cs. What Island lies south-east of Sumatra ? Ja. What five Islands east of Java? By., Sa., Ja., Fs., Tr. Se. What Islands east of the China Sea? Pe. Which are the two largest of the Philippine Islands? Ln., Mo. What Strait separates Sumatra from Malacca? Ma. What Strait separates Sumatra from Java? Sa. American vessels generally pass through the Straits of Sunda in going to or returning from China. What Strait between Borneo and Celebes? Mr. What Islands between Borneo and Mindanao? So. What Mountain in Sumatra directly under the Equator? Which is the largest Island of Australasia? Aa. What are its divisions? N.-Aa., W.-Aa., S.-Aa., N.-S.-W., and Va. What Colony on the east coast of Australia? N.-S.-W. What Colony on the west coast? S.-Rr. S.-Aa. and Va. V.-D.-Ld. or Ta. What Strait separates Australia from Van Diemen's Land? Bs. Which is the principal River? My. Largest Lake? Ts. Which is its principal Town? Sy. What large Island north of Australia? Pa. or N.-Ga. What Islands north-east of Australia? S.-Ao., N.-Ga., N.-Id., N.Bn., Le. What Islands east of Australia? N.-Hs., N.-Ca., Ñk. What Sea between Australia and New Hebrides? Cl. What Islands south-east of Australia? N.-Zd. What Strait between the two largest Islands of New Zealand? Cs. What Strait between the middle and southernmost Island of New Zealand? Fx. What Bays in the northern part of New Zealand? Is., Py. K 55 Which Archipelago of Polynesia does the Equator pass through? Cl. Which are the principal Archipelagoes and Islands of Polynesia north of the Equator? Ms., As., Ce., Le., Sh., Aa. What Archipelago lies on the 140th meridian of Longitude west from Greenwich? Ms. What groups of Islands does it contain? Wn., Ms. Which are the principal Islands east of the 160th meridian of Longitude west from Greenwich, and south of the Equator? Sy., Gn., Cs., Al., Ps., Pu., Gr., P.-Ws., K.-Gs. Which are the principal Islands that lie west of the 160th meridian of Longitude west from Greenwich, and south of the Equator? Ns., Fy., Fe., Hi., Ta., Kc. What is the most northern Island of Polynesia? Ms. The most important group of Islands belonging to Polynesia is on the 20th parallel of North Latitude. Which is it? Sh. Which is the principal of the Sandwich Islands? Hi. What high Mountain is on the Island of Hawaii. M.-R. What distinguished personage was killed here in the year 1779? C.-Ck. What Tropic crosses the northern part of Oceanica? Cr. What great Circle crosses the central or middle part? Er. In what Zone is the middle part? Td. In what Zone is the Southern part? S.-Te. Oceanica comprises 50 degrees of South Latitude, and 40 North Latitude. In what Latitude then is it mostly? Sh. Oceanica comprises about 85 degrees of east and 72 of west Longitude from Greenwich. In what Longitude then is it mostly? Et. PART SECOND. DESCRIPTIVE GEOGRAPHY. 1. The Earth is a vast globe or spherical body, similar in shape to a ball. Its surface contains about 200 millions of square miles, of which one-fourth, or 50 millions, is land; the remainder is covered with water. 2. Ignorant people suppose the earth to be a flat body, bounded on all sides by the sea and sky. More attentive observers were, however. long ago persuaded that it is a globe or sphere, similar in form to a ball or apple. 3. Various circumstances render it evident that the earth must be a body round in every direction; of which one of the 1. What is the earth? What does its surface contain? How much is land? How much is water? 2. What do ignorant people suppose the earth to be? Of what were more attentive observers persuaded? 3. What is one of the most striking proofs that the earth is round in most striking proofs is that furnished by an eclipse of the moon, which takes place in consequence of the earth coming between the sun and the moon, and causing the circular shadow of the earth to be thrown on the latter body. 4. If the earth, instead of being round in all directions, was merely a circular flat body like the top of a round table, the shadow thrown from it on the moon would at one time or other present the appearance of an oval, of a straight line, or some other figure different from that which it has always been found to assume. 5. Sailing round the world is another proof of its globular form. It is well known that navigators, by leaving any seaport, Philadelphia for instance, and sailing as nearly east or west from it as the form of the different continents will permit, may go round the world and return to the place they left in a direction opposite to that from which they started. 6. To sail round the world is called circumnavigating it, and was first accomplished by Magellan, a Portuguese navigator, more than three hundred years ago. It was for a long time considered a great undertaking, but it has been of late years so often performed, that it is not now thought to be an enterprise of any importance. 57 7. When a ship comes from sea towards the land, we first get sight of the tops of the masts and rigging; as she advances nearer, the lower parts are seen; and at last the hull, or body of the vessel, comes distinctly into view. If the earth were not spherical, the hull would be the first part seen. 8. A person sailing from the north to the southern parts of the earth, perceives, as he proceeds, the sun more directly over him at noon; at length it is seen directly overhead; and after he has passed the Equator, the sun begins to appear to the northward, and will seem to go farther and farther in that direction as he advances south. 9. New stars will also come into view in the southern horizon, while those in the northern parts will gradually disappear. These circumstances could not possibly happen if the earth were a flat body, whereas every direction? 4. If the earth was a circular flat body, what appearance would its shadow present? 5. What is another proof of its globular form? How must navigators sail to go round the world? 6. What is it called? Who was the first that did it? What was it for a long time considered? 7. What do we first get sight of when a ship comes from sea? What at last comes distinctly into view? 8. What will a person sailing from the north perceive? What is further said? 9. What will come into view? What could not |