LESSONS IN NATURAL HISTORY.-No. XIV. THE weasel is of a pale-reddish brown on the back, sides, and legs, the throat and belly are white; on each side under the corners of the mouth there is a brown spot; its ears are small and rounded; its eyes are small, black, and sparkling; its teeth are exceedingly sharp; and it has long whiskers like a cat. The length of the weasel does not exceed seven inches from the nose to the tail, and its height is little more than two inches and a half. This animal, which is common in all parts of Britain, is lively and active, and being alike bold and fierce, it proves exceedingly destructive in farm-yards and warrens. Voracious in devouring eggs, it makes a small hole in the end of each, and sucks out the contents, leaving the shell entire. As the rat, on the contrary, usually drags the egg from the nest, and either makes a large hole in it, or breaks it into pieces, the farmer can readily tell which of these animals has invaded his premises. to that which has just been killed. Buffon says that one of these animals, with three of its young, were taken out of the carcass of a wolf which had been hung on a tree by the hind feet. The wolf was almost entirely putrified; yet the weasel had made a nest of leaves and herbage for her young in the thorax, or throat, of the corrupted carcass. Instances are recorded in which several weasels have united in attacking men, and two of them are said to be a match for a dog. To take an example: a labourer in the parish of Glencairn, Dumfriesshire, was suddenly attacked by six weasels, which rushed upon him from an old dyke in the field where he was at work. Alarmed at such a furious onset, the man instantly betook himself to flight, but he soon found he was closely pursued; and although he had a large horse-whip, with which he endeavoured by several back-handed strokes to stop his assailants, yet they eagerly continued the pursuit. On the very point of being seized by the throat, he happily noticed at some distance the fallen branch of a tree, which he made for, and instantly snatching it up, he manfully rallied upon his enemies, and with such success that he speedily killed three of them, and put the remaining three to flight. He is conscious, however, that the weasel, unlike the rat, may render him much service. It is more than a match for the largest rat, to which species it is a mortal enemy, and can thus rid the stack-yards and barns of these destructive vermin. It is even more useful than the cat in destroying rats, as from the slenderness of its body it can pursue them into their holes, and readily make them a prey. Mice, another plague of the farmer, are, of course, easy victims of the weasel. With movements singularly graceful, the weasel climbs trees, and runs up the sides of a wall. It hunts by scent, like a dog, and tracks moles, with the utmost perseverance, through all their runs and winding galleries. It will even cross the water in the pursuit if its prey be in sight, nor does swiftness avail, for the weasel will travel onwards till its victim fails from exhaustion. Mr. Bell states that a kite, which had seized a weasel and mounted into the air, was observed to wheel irregularly, and at length to fall to the ground dead, the determined little animal having torn open the skin and large blood-vessels under the wing of the bird. It is said that the weasel prefers meat which has become putrid, In another case, escape from the ferocity of some of these creatures was not so easy. An aged woman was on Shap Fells, when somewhat weary with a long walk, and observing an irregular pile of lichen-covered stones not far from the mountain-path, she sat down on one of them to rest. Scarcely had she done so, when she observed a weasel peep from beneath a mossy stone, and at the same time heard the sounds it uttered, indicating its high displeasure. But little disturbed-as she had seen and heard weasels before-by its so doing, she naturally became much alarmed when one after another appeared, equally angry, until there was a troop of these creatures. Some of them scrambled up her clothes, and one or two got as high as her neck and shoulders. She struck and kicked at them, and succeeded in laming some and killing others, when providentially a shepherd's dog, having been attracted to the place by the skirmish, came to the top of a neighbouring bank, and began to bark with all his might. The instant the vermin heard the noise of the dog, they disappeared under the large stones, and the assailed female made her escape with hurried steps. The weasel often falls a prey to hawks, owls, and kites. It breeds two or three times a year, and has a litter of five at a birth. She makes her nest of dried herbage; it is generally placed in a hole in the side of a bank, among brambles, or in an aged tree; and when molested, she defends herself and her young, as might be expected with the utmost courage. 2. Wenn er es absichtlich gethan hat, so ist er keineswegs zu entschuldigen. 3. Obgleich Sie es nicht mit Absicht gethan haben, so ist es doch strafbar. 4. Hätten Sie es vorsäßlich gethan, so müßten Sie sich schämen. 5. Den Gefangenen hat man absichtlich befreit. 6. Dieser Mann hat nicht ab. In addition to the genus well-known in our country, there is fichtlich diese Verzögerung herbeigeführt. 7. So lange noch solche Männer another of the mephitic weasels, so called from their emitting an an ter Spiße des Staates stehen, können wir an keine Vesserung denken. intolerable odour. Their distinguishing colour is black, rather 8. So lange als ich keine Beschäftigung habe, kann ich nicht zufrieden sein. abruptly cut up on the back by longitudinal stripes of white. The nails of the fore-feet are strong, and well adapted for digging, and 9. So lange als ihr artig seid, sollt ihr alles haben, was ihr braucht. the tail is long and bushy. These animals are slow in their move- 10. So lange als die Welt steht, hat man keine solche Behauptung gemacht. ments, and they have neither propensities so carnivorous, nor a 11. Ich arbeite für dich so lange, als du krank bist. 12. Wir sorgten für disposition so daring as some of the creatures to which they are feine ganze Familie, so lange als er abwesend war. 13. Sie können, so allied. Their means of defence is very remarkable. It consists lange als Sie wünschen in meinem Hause wohnen. 14. Wenn er sich in the properties they possess of emitting at will a peculiar liquid secretion, the odour of which is so disgusting that every animal nicht so lange aufhält, so kann er auch meine Briefe nicht mehr bekommen. retreats dismayed from its presence. A single drop on a gar- 15. Dieser Mann arbeitet von Anbruch des Tages bis spät in die Nacht. ment renders it useless thenceforward, as it can neither be purified 16. Von jezt an gehe ich alle Tage vom Fluß bis an den Berg spazieren. by washing or exposing to the air, and the whole house becomes 17. Ich habe nun einen Brief erhalten und werde, so bald als ich kann, zu tainted if it be suffered to remain. score; Strafbar, punishable; Absichtlich, purposely; Entschul'digen, to ex- Preis geben, (See I.);' Bußen, to atone for, suffer for; Er ließ Alles, was er holte, auf Endlich iangte die versprochene Hülfe an. a wrong; for placed to my account, demand my pay. From now (this time forward) 1. Entschuldigen Sie mich, mein Herr, es ist nicht vorsäglich geschehen. meinen Freunden reisen. 18. Bis den zwanzigsten Januar erhalte ich nun mein Gelb. 19. Da ich jezt angekommen bin, so werde ich mit ihm sprechen, so bald als ich ihn sehe. 20. Bis ihr endlich gekominen seid, ist es Nacht geworden. 21. Von nun an wollen wir Freunde sein. 22. Vis cs Abend wird, wollen wir in der Stadt bleiben. 23. Der Kaufmann segte Alles auf eine Rechnung. 24. Was ihr gethan habt, kommt jezt auf meine Rechnung, und ich muß büßen, was ihr verschuldet habt. 25. Es ist heute eine erstickende Hiße. 26. Der Unglückliche erstickte in dem Rauche. 27. Das Unfraut ersticht die zarten Pflanzen. 28. Die Start wurde den erbitterten Soldaten Preis gegeben. 29. Er wurde seinem Schicksale Preis gegeben 30. Er hob sein wackeres Vetragen hervor und lobte ihr offentlich. 31. Er konnte in seiner Verlegenheit kein Wort hervorbringen. 32. Nach langem Suchen brachte sie ein altes Buch herver. 1. The books, which I bought of you, you may charge to my account. 2. The conquerors made themselves merry at the expense of their enemies. 3. As long as the man has employment, he may be contented. 4. As long as the world stands, the word of God will never vanish. 5. I will work for my friend as long as he is ill. 6. As long as the scholars are diligent, their teacher will praise them. 7. You can remain with my family as long as you wish. 8. If you remain till I have finished these letters, you may take them to my friend. 9. From now, we shall give more time to study. 10. The ship was exposed to the wind and waves. 11. From the break of day till late in the evening the town was exposed to the fire of the enemy. 12. The sun breaks forth between the clouds. 13. The Athenians declared, none but Jupiter should henceforth reign in Athens. 14. As long as my heart approves of my conduct, the censure of the people shall give me no pain. 15. He has given to the last point in his speech especial importance. 16. They were amusing themselves at his expense, and he did not perceive it. SECTION LXXII. PASSIVE VERBS IN THE INDICATIVE. The passive is formed by placing the auxiliary „werden" (to become, to be,) before the past participle of the main verb. ($ 84. $ 85.) In the perfect, pluperfect, and second future tenses, the participle of werden rejects the augment „ge" and is to be rendered by "been." Ex.: Er ist geliebt worden (not ge worden); he has been loved. The verb fein" is also used in these tenses, but, with the signification of "have." Ex.: Er ist geliebt worden; he has been loved. Er war gelobt worden; he had been praised. Er wird gelobt worden sein; he will have been praised. Many intransitive verbs are used impersonally in the passive. Ex.: Es wurte bis spät in die Nacht gefochten; the fighting (it was fought, &c.) was continued till late in the night. &s wurde ihm von allen Seiten zu Hülfe gecilt; from all sides it was hastened to his assistance. Es wird in dem Garten von den Kindern gespielt; it is played by the children in the garden. Es wurden in tem Concert einige schöne Lieder gesungen: there (it) were sung some beautiful songs in the concert, An'erkennen, to ac- Ermerten, to murder; knowledge, own; Ernst, earnest ; Augenblick, m. mo- Gemsenjäger, m. cha mois-hunter; Gericht, m. judgment; beat, strike; Schmieden. to bind with chains; Schmücken, to adorn, attire ; ment, twinkling (of an eye); Lateln, to blame, cast Aus'machen, to find Heidnisch, heathenish; a blame upon one; out, ascertain; heathen, pagan ; Unbenügt, not used, Briefträger, m. letter- Hoffentlich, it is to be not availed of; carrier; hoped, as I hope; Unschuld, f. innocence; Componiren, to com- Je nachdem, as, ac- Verachten, to despise; pose; cording as; Verlcumben, to backDereinst, once, one Kostbar, costly, ex- bite, calumniate; day, in the future; pensive; Versammeln, to asErbitterung, f. exas- Nächlässig, neglectful; semble, meet; peration, animo- Mitwirkung, f. co- Verurtheilen, to doom, sity; operation; condemn ; Ertennen, to perceive, Priester, m. priest; Rechtlich, honest, upright; recognise; Viele Menschen werden ihres Reich. thums, nicht ihrer Vertien'fte wegen geachtet. Am Ende der Schlacht wurden die Tap'fersten mit Lorbeer bekränzt Das Buch res Schicksals ist von Gottes Hand verschloss'en worten, und kein Sterblicher vermag' einen Blick in seine geheimnißvol. len Blätter zu thun. Tem reichen Grösus war von dem Cra'fel tas Ente seiner Herr' lichkeit verkündigt worden. So lange Zwietracht und Wi'der. spruch unter den Menschen Herrscht, ($ 136. 3.) so lange werten die wich'tigsten Wahr'. heiten bekämpft' werden. Ruhe und Friede werden erst dann in diese Thäler zurückkehren, wenn der Feind gänzlich geschla’. gen werten sein wird. Wüste, f. desert, willderness; Beugniß, n. testimony. Many persons are honoured on account of their riches, not on account of their merits. At the end of the battle the most valiant were crowned with laurels. The book of fate has been closed by the hand of God, and no mortal is able to cast a look upon (into) its mysterious pages (leaves). To the rich Croesus, the end of his splendour had been announced by the oracle. So long as discord and contradiction reign among mankind, so long will the most weighty truths be contested Repose and peace will first return to these valleys when the enemy shall have been utterly defeated. 1. Der Lehrer liebt und lobt den fleißigen Schüler. Der fleißige Schüler wird von dem Lehrer geliebt und gelobt. 2. Der Jäger schießt nicht nur Wölfe und Bären, sondern auch Vögel.—Nicht nur Wölfe und Bären, sondern auch Vögel werten von dem Jäger geschossen. 3. Die Mutter warnte den Sohn. Der Sohn wurte von der Mutter gewarnt. 4. Der Briefträger brachte einen Brief. =Der Brief wurte von dem Briefträger gebracht. 5. Der Jude hat das Pferd des armen Mannes gekauft. Das Pferd des armen Mannes ist von dem Juden gekauft worden. Der Schweizer hat die Alpenlieder schön gesungen. Die Alpenlieder sind von dem Schweizer schön gesungen worden. 7. Das Kind hat das Buch vergessen. Das Buch war von dem Kinde vergessen worden. 8. Der Mezger hat das Kalb geschlachten Das Kalb war von dem Mezger geschlachtet worden. 9. Der Feldherr wird seine Soldaten loben. Die Soldaten werden von dem Feldherrn gelobt werden. 10. Gott wird das = 6. 11 Der Gute belohnen. Das Gute wird von Gott belohnt werden Nachbar wird dem Freunde geholfen haben Dem Freunde wird von dem Nachbarn geholfen worten sein. 12. Der heidnische Priester wird das arme Märchen geopfert haben. — Das arme Märchen wird von dem heid. nischen Priester geopfert worden sein. 13 Cäsar ist unter Mitwirkung seines Freuntes Brutus ermordet worden. 14. Die steilsten Felsen werden von den Gemsenjägern erklettert. 15. Der günstige Augenblick wird von dem Klugen ergriffen. 16. Es wurde in einer halben Stunde mehr gethan, denn sonst in einer ganzen. 17. Der Streit wurde auf beiden Seiten mit großer Gebitterung geführt. 18. Schon manche kostbare Stunte ist un, benüz geblieben. 19. Das Werk ist endlich vollendet worden und wird in den ersten Tagen erscheinen. 20. Endlich ist es ausgemacht vorten, we der Dieb ist. 21. Die Brücke wurde durch das Eis mit sortgeriffen. 22. Die Kameele werden in der Wüste oft von den Reisenten geschlachtet, um Wasser zu erhalten. 23. Die Söhne des Brutus waren von ihrem Vater zum Tode verurtheilt worden. 24. Prometheus war von Jupiter an einen Felsen geschmieret worden. 25. Die Sache wird sehr interessant werden. 26. Hoffentlich wird der Feind geschlagen worden sein. 27 Gs wire dereinst ein ernstes Gericht gehalten werden, nachdem alle Völker versammelt worten sein. 28. Viele werden gelobt werden, welche Tadel erwarteten, und Viele getadelt werden sein, welche ein Lob erwartet batten. 29. Drefer Jüngling war verleumdet worden. 30. Die Unschuld desselben wird erkannt werten, nachdem seine rechtlichen Handlungen werden erkannt werden sein. 31. Die Tapfersten des Heeres werden belohnt werten, je nachtem ihre Thaten werden anerkannt worden sein. = 1. The mother warned the son. The son was warned by the mother. 2. Romulus founded Rome Rome was founded by Romulus. 3. The Gauls burnt it. It was burnt by the Gauls. 4. Mr. G. composed this song, and Mr. N. sang it. This song was composed by Mr. G. and was sung by Mr. N. 5. We love and seek skilful people. Skilful people are loved and sought; but unskilful people are generally despised. 9. A man often neglects his duties, while thinking of his pleasures. 10. Most sacred duties have often been neglected while we have been devoted too much to pleasure. 11. The hat of the victor had been adorned with flowers. 12. The most valiant of the army will be rewarded, according as their actions are acknowledged. 13. Thy sister is loved and praised by her teacher, because she is diligent and attentive; but thou wilt be censured by thine, because thou dost not like to work. 14. Charles has been punished because he had not finished his exercise. 15. We were praised by our teacher while we were diligent. 16. Our friend has been punished, because he had been neglectful. 16. Thou hast had the pleasure of passing some days with thy parents in the country; thou hast been praised and rewarded by them, because thy teacher has given thee a favourable testimony. 17. His brother would have been better received. riddle; Drakel, n. oracle; spect, esteem; Räthsel, n. riddle, enigEinnehmen, to occupy, ma; take possession of; Spiel, game, play; Fortschleppen, to drag, Treja, n. Troy; pull along; Ue'bermas, n. excess, Graben, to dig, grub, superfluity; Ule'brigens, as for the rest, besides ; Verkündigen, to announce, perdict; Bermu'then, to suppose, presume, tenance, exterior; Befürchten, to fear, apprehend; Begnadigen, to pardon, favour; ditch; Beißen, to bite; Griechisch, Greek, HelBesayung, f. garrison ; lenic; Bestechung, f. corrup- Hintergehen, to detion, bribery; ceive, delude; Carthage, n. Carthage; Hirsch, m. stag, hart, deer; Er wollte nicht erlauben, daß jener die vielen kleinen Herzogthümer in Provinzen ein'getheilt würden. Man glaubt, daß bei diesem lehten Sturme viele Schiffe verschlagen worten seien erzäbl'te mir, daß meine Ab'. handlungen über diesen Ge'gen stand sehr gelobt' worden wäre. think. He would not allow, that that man should be called. They had vainly hoped, that the many little Dukedoms would be divided into provinces. It is supposed, that by this late (last) storm, many vessels have been cast away. He told (Sect. 83. 1.) me, that my negotiation concerning this affair, hau been very much lauded. Da die fürstliche Familie ge'gen. = 1. Es wird gesagt, daß der Schauspieler eine Vorstellung gebe. wird gesagt, daß eine Vorstellung von dem Schauspieler gegeben werte. 2. Der Nachbar glaubt, daß der Knabe seine Eltern täusche. Der Nachbar glaubt, daß die Eltern don dem Knaben getäuscht werden. 3. Die Kinder agten, der Jäger schöffe ten Hirsch =Die Kinder sagten, der Hirsch würte von dem Jäger geschossen. 4. Man befürchtet, der Hund beiße die Leute Man befürchtet, die Leute würten von dem Hunte gebissen. 5. Man ver, muthet, der Freund habe den Freund hintergangen. Man vermuthet, ver 6. Der Vater meinte, daß Freund sei vom Freunde hintergangen worden. die Kinder gespielt hätten. Der Vater meinte, daß von den Kindern gespielt werden wäre. 7. Er erzählte mir, daß die Märchen die Blumen in seinem Garten abgebrochen hätten.— Er erzählte mir, daß die Blumen in 8. Der alte seinem Garten von den Märchen wären abgebrochen worden. Soltat rief aus, daß er seinen Feldherrn nie vergessen werte. Der alte Soldat rief aus, daß sein Feldherr nie von ihm werte vergessen werden. 9. Die Mutter sagte, sie werde tiefen Nachmittag im Garten graben. = Die Mutter sagte, es werde diesen Nachmittag im Garten von ihr gegraben werden. 10. Ich möchte wissen, ob sie ihn werden geehrt haben. Ich möchte wissen, ob er von ihnen werte geehrt worden sein. 11. Ich dachte nicht anders, als daß er das Spiel werte gewonnen haben. Ich dachte nicht anders, als daß das Spiel von ihm werde gewonnen worden sein. 12. Das Orakel verkündigte ihm, er werde siegen. 13. Er sagte mir, er werde von Jedermann gelicht und geachtet. 14. Er behauptet, das Räthsel sei durch ihn gelöst worden. 15. Die Geschichte meldet, daß Troja von den griechischen Fürsten zerstört worden sei. 16 Er sagte ihm, er würte seinet, wegen (Sect. 74.) Alles zu thun bereit sein. 17. Der Freund beflagte sich, daß er so wenig von mir besucht würte. 18. Man sagt, Ungarn sei durch Bestechung, nicht durch Gewalt der Waffen, besiegt worden. 19. Micin Nachbar sagte mir, das Aeußere dieses Mannes böte nichts Auffallendes dar, aber seine Seele würde geziert durch eine Menge trefflicher Eigenschaften. 20. Der alte Cato schloß eine jere Nere mit den Worten: Uebrigens halte ich dafür, daß Carthago zerstört werde. 21. Man vermuthet, die Festung sei von den Feinden eingenommen worden, allein die Besagung werte be. gnadig worden sein. 22 Der Jüngling sagte, es werde noch Vieles von ihm gethan werden: 23. Der betrübte Vater glaubt, sein Sohn werte von dem erbitterten Feinde erschossen worden sein. 24. Die Freundin behauptete, daß das Unglück durch die Schuld des Nachbars herbeigeführt werten wäre. 25. Der Arme klagte, daß er gewaltsam fortgeschleppt rorten wäre, 1. It was said, that everybody would love those children. It Iwas said, those children would be loved by er erybody. 2. The T teacher believes, that the scholars could ave learned their ex- LESSONS IN GEOGRAPHY.-No. XVIII. THE MAP OF EUROPE. THE continent of Europe forms the north-western part of the old world, or great triple continent in the eastern hemisphere, and lies wholly within the northern hemisphere, to the north-east, east, and south-east of the British isles. This continent is situated almost wholly within the north temperate zone, with the exception of some of the more northern parts of No'rway, Swe'den and Russia, which lie within the north frigid zone. Europe is bounded on the north by the Arctic Ocean; on the south, by the Mediterranean and its parts-the gulfs of Ly'ons, Ge'noa, and Venice, the Archipelago, the Sea of Ma'rmora, the Black Sea, the Sea of Az'of, and the chain of Mount Cau'casus; on the east, by Asia, which is separated from it, by the chain of the Oural Mountains, the river Ou'ral, and the Ca'spian Sea; and on the west by the north Atla'ntic Ocean. This continent extends from Lat. 71° 6' N. to Lat, 36° 6′ N, and from Long. 9° 31′ W. to Long. 64° 30′ E. Its length, from Cape St. Vincent in Portugal, to the north-eastern extremity of Russia in Europe, is about 3,500 miles; and its breadth varies from about half its length, or 1,750 miles, to 757 miles, the distance from Da'ntzig on the Baltic to Ode'ssa on the Black Sea, right across the middle of the continent. The most northerly point of Europe is usually considered to be the North Cape, in Lat. 71° 10' N. and Long. 26° 1' E; the most southerly point is called Euro'pa Point, in Lat. 36° 6' N. and Long. 5° 21′ W.; the most easterly point is scarcely defined, being in the range of the Oural Mountains, or at the mouth of the river Kara; and the most westerly point is Cape Roca near Lisbon, in Lat. 38° 47' N. and Long. 9° 31′ W. The surface of the land in Europe contains, according to the latest estimate, about 34 millions of square miles, or more exactly 3,586,187 square miles ; and its population is upwards of 250 Hence, there are in this millions, or more exactly 262,874,500. continent on an average about 73 inhabitants to every square mile; but as Russia in Europe is reckoned to contain about two millions of square miles, or more than half of the continent, and to have a population of about 60 millions, or less than one-fourth of that of the whole continent,-it follows, that in Russia there are on an average about 30 inhabitants to every square mile, and in the rest of the continent on an average about 122 inhabitants to every square mile. The surface of the inland seas belonging to Europe is estimated at nearly 1 millions of square miles, or more accurately at 1,483,000 square miles, distributed in the following proportions: the White Sea, in the North of Russia, 38,000; the Baltic lying between Sweden and Russia, having Germany on the south, and De'nmark at its entrance, 135,000; the Mediterranean or Great Sea, lying south of Europe, about 1,000,000; the Black Sea, south of Russia, 180,000; and the Caspian Sea or Great Inland Lake, 130,000. The part of the Atlantic Ocean which flows between Great Britain and the continent is called the German Ocean or North Sea; its passage on the south is called the English Channel, and at the narrowest part the Strait of Dover, which is about 20 miles across, and is reckoned 200 feet at its greatest depth. The entrance to the Baltic or East Sea, is by a channel of which the part between No'rway and De'nmark is called the Skagar-Rack, and the part between Swe'den and Denmark the Kattegat; in the latter part, there are three straits called the Sound, about 24 miles wide, the Great Belt about 8 miles wide, and the Little Belt about three-quarters of a mile wide. In the northern part of the Baltic are the Gulfs of Bo'thnia, Fi'nland and Ri'ga. On the west of The length of the Mediterra'nean is reckoned about 2,400 miles, amous in Tout est grand dans le temple de la faveur, excepté les portes, ancient history. The waters of the Archipelago communicate with qui sont si basses qu'il faut y entrer en rampant.-Lévis. those of the Sea of Ma'rmora (anciently the Propontis) through a narrow channel or strait called the Dardanelles (anciently the Hellespont), about half a mile in width at its narrowest part; those of the Sea of Marmora with those of the Black Sea (anciently the Euxine Sea) by the Strait of Constantinople (anciently the Thra'cian Bo'sphorus), which is still narrower than the former; and those of the Black Sea with those of the Sea of Az'of or Azov (anciently the Pa'lus Macōtis, the Maerotian Fen) by the Strait of Je'nikale (anciently the Cimm'erian Bo'sphorus, i.e., the Cimmerian Or-Ford), about a mile and a half wide. The eastern part of the Mediterranean adjoining Turkey in Asia is called the Levant (from the French, levant, rising), because to the inhabitants along the northern and southern shores of the Great Sea the sun appears to rise in that quarter of the horizon. The waters of the Caspian Sea or Lake are not superficially (that is, on the surface of the land) connected with those of the Mediterranean, being separated from them by the Caucasian chain of mountains. Owing to the indentation of the continent of Europe by seas, bays, and gulfs, it has a greater line of sea-coast, in proportion to its size, than any other continent on the face of the globe; and lying almost wholly within the north temperate zone, it is better adapted for the health, convenience, and commercial intercourse of its inhabitants. Hence its superiority in point of power, intelligence, and wealth to all the other continents. The total length of its sea-coast is estimated at nearly twenty thousand miles, or only about one-fifth part less than the circumference of the globe. COUNTRIES, KINGDOMS, EMPIRES, AND STATES OF Europe. |