previously to the later voyages of discovery, were regarded as part of the American Continent. Balbi proposes to subdivide them as follows:-1. Eastern or Danish Arctic lands, comprising the great group of Greenland and Iceland, belonging to Denmark, and Jan Mayen's Land, without stationary inhabitants. 2. The West or British Arctic lands, extending to the west and north of Baffin's and Hudson's Bays, the principal groups of which are New Devon, North Georgia, with the islands of Cornwallis, Melville, &c. And 3. The Archipelago of Baffin, consisting of Parry's Land, with the Islands of Cockburne, Southampton, New Galloway, &c. However plausible this may appear, such a division, with the progress of discovery, will soon be insufficient, and require modifying; and even at present it can be of no practical use

North America abounds in what are termed natural wonders and curiosities. Natural bridges, mammoth caves, petrefactions, Indian antiquities, &c., are by no means uncommon. This, however, is not the place to describe these marvellous creations; but full accounts will be found of each in the description of their several localities.

The climate of North America is almost as celebrated for its preponderance of cold as Africa is for the preponderance of heat. With the exception of the maritime coast of the Pacific, beyond the Rocky Mountains, the temperature in the same latitude is everywhere inferior to that of the old world. Countries which, from their geographical position, we should suppose to be temperate and mild, are exposed to long and severe winters, and in point of fact, countries in the same parallel with England, are almost entirely too rigorous for the habitation of man; and even in the 45th parallel on the north side of the great lakes, winter enshrouds more than one half of the year. Frost is no unfrequent visitant on the low shores of the Gulf of Mexico, which are on the same parallel with Morocco, Cairo and Suez. This predominance of cold has been ascribed to a variety of causes: one, and not the least, is the greater elevation of the surface. Not only is the continent traversed by immense mountains, covered with perpetual snow, but in Mexico very extensive plains are found at an elevation of from 6,000 to 10,000 feet above the level of the ocean. In some parts, where the plateaux rise rapidly, there is often within a few leagues, an extraordinary change of temperature. At Vera Cruz and the whole eastern coast of Mexico, northward to the Rio Grande, the heat is generally quite oppressive, while a few hours' journey brings the traveller to the "tierra templada," where the air is clear and the heat moderate, and thence is but a short distance to the high plateau, where an overcoat and blanket would not be found uncomfortable. Such is the rapid succession of climate, that within a short time and distance, the polar cold and the tropic heat may be successively experienced.

These different climates have different vegetable productions. "Hence, the traveller journeying down the deep descent of one of those magnificent ravines, (leading from the plateau of Mexico,) through forests of birches, oaks and pines, finds himself suddenly on the level shores, surrounded by palms, and has an opportunity of seeing the animal products of the north and south, of the Alpine regions and tropics-nay, of the eastern and western hemispheres, mingled together. Wolves of northern aspect dwelling in the vicinity of monkeys; humming-birds returning periodically from the borders. of the frozen zone, with the northern bunting and soft feathered tit mice, to nestle near parrots; and the common European whistling-duck and teal,

swimming in lakes which swarm with syrens and Brazilian parras and boat bills."

Another cause of the inferior temperature of the new world may be partly ascribed to the great indentation of the sea between North and South America, and the absence of those extensive sandy deserts in the tropical regions, which, by reflecting the rays of the sun, render Africa so uncommonly heated. The place of these is supplied by dense forests, and traversed by the largest rivers of the world, which powerfully diminish the influence of the solar beams. A strong and abundant vegetation is, in fact, the distinguishing characteristic of North as well as South America, and to this fact may be attributed much of the difference which distinguishes the old from the new world.

And with respect to North America, we may add, that while but a small portion of it is within the torrid zone, it reaches far within the Arctic circle, where it also attains to a great breadth. The north-west wind prevails in the winter. This wind, sweeping over a desolate country, overspread with marshes, forests, frozen lakes, and mountains buried under eternal snow, contracts an intense degree of cold, and in its progress southward, passing over a wilderness, where the forests shade the earth from the sun, its original character is in no respect changed. It slowly yields to the dominion of latitude, and retains its boreal character long after it has penetrated into the natural regions of heat. Throughout North America the north wind is accordingly felt to be keen and piercing. It increases the rigor of the seasons, and extends the influence of winter far into those latitudes, which, in the other hemisphere, are blessed with perpetual spring.

The countries lying within the tropics are exposed to the inroads of the northern blasts; and the great heats felt at Vera Cruz and other sea-board cities, are often suddenly reduced by strata of cold air brought by the north winds from the polar regions. These winds blow from October to March, frequently bursting forth in tremendous hurricanes-" northers," and cooling the air to such a degree, that at Vera Cruz the thermometer very frequently falls to 60° Fahr. In the basin of Mexico, the temperature has sometimes marked the freezing point, and thin ice has been formed on stagnant pools.

To the prevalence of these north winds, therefore, combined with the extraordinary elevation of the surface and the yet uncultivated state of the country, overspread with vast forests, the inferior temperature of North America seems ascribable. But with this great inconvenience, the climate of the continent is healthy, and the rate of mortality not greater, in the more elevated regions, to that of the old world, and in some of the middle districts longevity is a distinguishing feature in its vital statistics.

Stretching, as North America does, from the Arctic regions to far within the tropics, and possessing soils of every elevation and quality, her vegetable productions are necessarily of varied character. Owing to the humidity and comparative coolness of the climate and the natural richness of the land, fertilized by the successive decays of ages, her forests and pastures are of unrivalled extent, luxuriance and magnificence.

The forests consist, generally, of very heavy timber, including many species of pines and larches, unknown to the old world, with an endless variety of oaks, maples, cypresses, tulip trees, mahogany, log-wood, &c., &c.; nor are the agricultural products less peculiar or less diversified. The potatoe is eminently an American tuber, and tobacco, now the greatest luxury of both

worlds, though its cultivation is extended to almost all countries, was indigenous to North America alone. Indian corn, millet, cocoa, vanilla, pimento, copaiba, jalap, sassafras, nux vomica, and many other drugs and medicines important in the arts and pharmacy, are all American. The coccus cochinilifer, which produces the cochineal of commerce, is peculiar to Mexico. These all grow wild, in a state of nature, or are cultivated for the convenience of collection, and have been a great source of wealth to the country.

The forests and fields of North America, however, have been enriched by contributions from the old world, and many plants, hitherto unknown to American soil, have, since Europeans settled in the country, been introduced and become valuable adjuncts to her already varied products. At the head of these may be placed wheat, barley, oats and rice, all of which find a congenial soil and succeed to perfection. The sugar cane, originally from the East Indies or Madeira, and the coffee plant, have become staple products; and oranges, lemons, peaches and most descriptions of fruit trees, are of eastern origin. American apples, though now superior to the apples of England, are derived from trees carried from that country; and the vine, the cultivation of which has of late years been much attended to, seems to flourish in many parts of the country almost as well as in its native soil in Western Europe.

The ZOOLOGY OF NORTH AMERICA, though as yet but little known, presents a vast catalogue of the different families of animated nature. The animals differ in many important respects from those of Europe, and of the useful kinds there are singularly few. Neither the horse, the ox, nor the hog were found on the American continent when discovered, and the want of them must, no doubt, have been a considerable obstacle to the advancement of the natives in the career of civilization. The elephant and camel were also unknown to America, and in fact the aborigines appear to have had no substitute for these essentially valuable animals. The Bison, or American ox, (Bos Americanus,) the largest native quadruped of the New World, is principally found on the vast western prairies. It is rarely, if ever, seen east of the Mississippi, and it has never been found on the Atlantic plain. The Bos Moschatus, or musk ox, is found only in the most northerly parts of America, to the west of Hudson's Bay, from 60° to 730 north latitude. Its horns, which cover all its forehead, are often of great weight. The Rocky Mountain goat, remarkable for the fineness of its wool, inhabits the Rocky Mountains from Mexico to the extremity of the range. Several species of deer are also found in various parts. The rein-deer is the most northern ruminating animal, being found in Greenland and the most northerly of the Arctic Islands, and on the west coast it descends as far as the Columbia River.

The canine race of North America is of several species, some of which are peculiar to the New World. The physiognomy of the American wolf, when contrasted with that of Europe, is very distinct. There is a great variety of foxes. The fur of the canis lagopus, or Arctic fox, and of some other varieties of the same genus, is of considerable value. The best known variety of the American dog is the canis familiaris, found in Newfoundland. This animal is now common, from the northern settlements of Canada to the shores of Florida, and has become deservedly a great favorite. It is strong and active, has long and fine glossy hair, a curved, bushy tail, and webbed toes, by means of which it swims admirably well. The color of the back and sides is generally black, with a white belly and legs,

and frequently a white spot at the tip of its tail. It is naturally fitted, by its thick covering of hair, for a cold climate, and is more active and in better health in this country in winter than in summer.

The beaver, (castor,) is more abundant, perhaps, in the north-western parts of North America, than in any other part of the globe. But the great demand for and high price of its fur, has led to a great diminution of its numbers, and to its nearly total extinction in the more accessible parts of the country; and its entire extermination at a no very distant day may be calculated upon, if means are not taken for its preservation and increase.

North America has but few beasts of prey. The felis discolor, or puma, is found on both the northern and southern continents; though denominated the American lion, it is neither so large nor fierce as the jaguar. A number of bears, some of them of the largest and most formidable description, are found in Arctic America, two of which are peculiar to those inhospitable regions.

Tropical America has a great variety of apes and monkeys, but none of them approach so nearly to the human form as the ourang-outang or chimpanzee; and none of them have the ferocity of the baboon. Many, however, have prehensile tails, endowed with so great delicacy of touch, that they have been compared to the trunk of the elephant. This fits them admirably for travelling from tree to tree, and sporting in the vast forests which they inhabit.

Portions of North America are infested by a great variety of reptiles. The rattle-snake is as common as its bite is dangerous, but there are many others whose attacks are little less venomous. The true boa-constrictor is found of enormous size in the marshes and swamps of tropical America. Centipedes, sometimes a yard in length, enormous spiders, scorpions, &c., are also found in these regions.

Among the insects of North America are many of large size and beautiful colors; the butterflies are truly gorgeous, and the bug-tribe as varied as extensive. No country in the world presents such a field for the entomologist or amateur collector. The mosquito, in the middle and southern regions, is a prolific and most annoying creature, and in some places in Mexico and Central America is in such numbers and so vicious, as to render whole districts uninhabitable. According to Humboldt, white ants and termites are even more destructive here than their congeners in the old world.

The birds of North America are exceedingly numerous, and are at the present day as fully known to Europe as to Americans themselves, through the labors of the indefatigable Audubon, whose works on natural history have a world-wide celebrity. The birds of prey are of a great number of species, including eagles, vultures, hawks, falcons, owls, &c. The whiteheaded or bald eagle is well-known as the national emblem of the United States. The vultures are the great Californian vulture, the black vulture, and the turkey-buzzard; the latter is well-known and numerous in the Southern United States, where, maugre their filthy habits, they are protected by law as useful denizens, being of great benefit in consuming decaying animal matter, which would otherwise pollute the atmosphere, and render a locality of fensive and dangerous to the health of the people. The wild turkey of America is a noble bird, of brilliant, blackish plumage; and of this bird Dr. Franklin has observed:"It would have been a much fitter emblem for our country than the white-headed eagle, a lazy, cowardly, tyrannical bird, living on the labors of others, and more suited to represent an imperial despotic government than

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the Republic of America." The duck tribe is very numerous. backs are peculiar to America, and are esteemed a great luxury by the gourmand; they are found mostly on Chesapeake Bay and the neighboring rivers. But the most characteristic of American birds is the hummingbird, remarkable alike for its small size and the brilliant metallic lustre of its plumage; it is found south of the 45th parallel, but is more numerous towards the southern coasts. Vast flights of pigeons, in their periodical migrations, frequently darken the sun, and often require, such is their countless number, four or five days in passing over one particular spot. Their course is marked by millions of those who have fallen from exhaustion or pressure, and the ground for miles is frequently covered with such as have perished. Of the game species there are partridges, grouse, pheasants, &c.; in general, however, these are dist.nct in species to those of Europe. The mocking-bird, the blue-jay and whip-poor-will, are all peculiar to America. Robins of large size, sparrows, and the smaller birds, are everywhere in great numbers. The American robin is four times the size of that of Europe.

The waters of North America swarm with a great variety of the finny tribes. The cod, the mackerel, the shad, &c., are delicious, and very abundant on the coast and in the great rivers. The lakes produce enormous sized pike, pickerel and other fresh water fish, and the salmon inhabits the rivers in the north and the Columbia River on the western coast. fish are nowhere so abundant as here.

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The cetaceous family inhabit the more northerly seas; the most useful and remarkable, are the common and spermaceti whales and the narwhale. The common seal is abundant on all the coasts and islands of America, but it is more common in the high latitudes than elsewhere, and is of essential use to the Esquimaux and other original tribes, furnishing them with almost all the necessaries of life, both as regards clothing and food.

Nothing, however, is so worthy of remark in relation to the zoology of North America, as the wonderful increase of horses and cattle, brought by the first settlers from Europe. Had we not been fully aware of all the circumstances in regard to their immigration, it would certainly have been supposed that they were indigenous to America, and that it in fact was their native country. They here rove about in immense herds in a state of pristine freedom; and so numerous have they become, that the slaughter of oxen, not for the carcass, but merely for the hide, is the principal business of several extensive districts. In consequence of the extraordinary increase of horses, the mode of existence of the natives, especially in California, has been wholly changed; they have become expert horsemen, and pass considerable part of their time on horseback, approaching in this respect the Tartars and Arabs of the old world. Sheep, however, have not succeeded so well in America as cattle and horses, and their wool, in most parts, is of an inferior quality to that of the European stock, and the mutton ranker in flavor.

THE ABORIGINES OR NATIVE INDIANS are a distinct race, differing altogether in physical form, in language, and, perhaps, in intellectual character, from every other variety of the human race. Probably, however, the general agreement which exists among themselves, is even more remarkable than their disagreement from other races. The Red men, as the Americans call themselves, in contra-distinction to the Whites of Europe and the Blacks of Africa, exhibit surprisingly little difference, although extending over 700