Part 1

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Transcriber’s Notes:

Underscores “_” before and after a word or phrase indicate _italics_ in the original text. A single underscore after a symbol indicates a subscript. Small capitals have been converted to SOLID capitals. Old or antiquated spellings have been preserved. Typographical errors have been silently corrected but other variations in spelling and punctuation remain unaltered. The Table of Contents was added by the transcriber, it is not part of the original text.

THE BOSTON SCHOOL ATLAS, EMBRACING A COMPENDIUM OF GEOGRAPHY.

BY B. FRANKLIN EDMANDS.

Table of Contents.

PREFACE. ELEMENTAL GEOGRAPHY. 3 EXPLANATION OF MAPS. 5 GRAND DIVISIONS OF THE EARTH. 17 CIVIL AND POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 17 STATE OF SOCIETY. 18 NORTH AMERICA. 21 UNITED STATES. 25 MAINE. 26 NEW HAMPSHIRE.... and ... VERMONT. 31 MASSACHUSETTS, CONNECTICUT, AND RHODE ISLAND. 32 NEW YORK. 37 PENNSYLVANIA, MARYLAND, NEW JERSEY, AND DELAWARE. 38 WESTERN STATES. 43 UNITED STATES. 44 SOUTH AMERICA. 57 EUROPE. 61 BRITISH ISLES. 65 ASIA. 69 AFRICA. 73 GENERAL QUESTIONS. 74 WEST INDIA ISLANDS. 75 OCEANICA. 75 ELEMENTAL ASTRONOMY. 76 TIDES. 77 QUESTIONS IN REVIEW OF THE COMPENDIUM. 78

TWELFTH EDITION; STEREOTYPED,

CONTAINING THE FOLLOWING MAPS AND CHARTS.

1. MAP OF THE WORLD. 2. CHART ... MOUNTAINS. 3. CHART ... RIVERS. 4. NORTH AMERICA. 5. UNITED STATES. 6. PART OF MAINE. 7. VERMONT & N. HAMPSHIRE. 8. MASSACHUSETTS, CONNECTICUT, AND R. ISLAND. 9. NEW YORK. 10. PENN. MD., N. JER. AND DEL. 11. WESTERN STATES. 12. CHART ... CANALS, RAIL ROADS. 13. CHART ... POLITICAL AND STATISTICAL. 14. SOUTH AMERICA. 15. EUROPE. 16. BRITISH ISLES. 17. ASIA. 18. AFRICA.

_Embellished with Instructive Engravings._

BOSTON: PUBLISHED BY ROBERT S. DAVIS, SUCCESSOR TO LINCOLN, EDMANDS, & CO., No. 77, Washington Street.

1840.

PREFACE.

A careful examination of Maps is a sure and at the same time the most convenient method of acquiring a knowledge of Geography. With a view of furnishing to young classes an _economical means_ of commencing a course of geographical study, this work has been prepared; and it is believed that a thorough acquaintance with its contents will impart such general ideas, as will prepare them to enter upon a more _minute investigation_ of the subject, when they shall have arrived at a proper age.

The use of this work will also obviate the necessity which has heretofore existed, of furnishing such classes with larger volumes, the greater part of which is useless to them, till the book is literally worn out; and although it is adapted to young students, it will be found that the Atlas exercises are equally proper for more advanced pupils.

The study of this work should commence with recitations of short lessons previously explained by the instructer; and after the pupils are well versed in the elements, the study of the maps should be commenced. Embodied with the questions on the maps will be occasionally found questions in _italic_, referring to the elements. These are intended as a review, and the pupils should be made to understand, that through the whole of the maps, the instructer will require a similar review of the Geography. This course cannot fail to be interesting and advantageous.

The elements of Astronomy are annexed to the work; and it is left to the discretion of the instructer to determine the proper time to introduce this pleasing study to his pupils.

BOSTON, AUGUST, 1830.

ADVERTISEMENT TO THE SIXTH (STEREOTYPE) EDITION.

The universal approbation and liberal patronage bestowed upon the former editions of the Boston School Atlas, have induced the publishers to make in this edition numerous improvements. The maps have all been re-engraved on steel, and in pursuance of hints from several instructers, a concise compendium of descriptive Geography has been added, while at the same time the text of the preceding edition has not been so altered as to cause confusion in the use of the two editions in the same class. Many engravings calculated to instruct, rather than merely to amuse, have been interspersed, to render the book more attractive and useful to pupils. The work, in addition to being stereotyped, has been kept as much as possible free from subjects liable to changes, in order that it may be a _permanent Geography_, which may hereafter be used without the inconvenience of variations in different reprints.

THE INDUCTIVE SYSTEM has deservedly become the most popular method of imparting instruction to the youthful mind, and may be used with as much advantage in the study of Geography as of any other science. To compile treatises of Geography on this plan, with the necessary arrangement of the maps adapted to every place, would multiply them indefinitely. The Inductive System, however, can be used with advantage in the study of this book by pursuing the following course. Let the Instructer describe to the pupils the town in which they reside, and require them to become familiar with its boundaries, rivers, ponds, hills, &c. After this is accomplished, the map of the State should be laid before them, and the situation of the town should be pointed out, and they should be told what a State is, and what towns are nearest them, &c. This plan can be carried to any extent the instructer may think necessary to enable his pupils to acquire a correct knowledge of their own State; and, if necessary, he should write for them additional questions of a local nature, beside those contained in the work. If the town be not on the map, it should be inserted with a pen on all the maps used in the class. After the pupils shall have acquired a correct idea of their own State, they may be taught respecting the adjoining States, countries, &c. and the plan may be pursued as successfully as if they possessed an Atlas with maps arranged in particular reference to their own place of residence.

BOSTON, JUNE 17, 1833.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1832, by LINCOLN AND EDMANDS, in the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts.

RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE

BOSTON SCHOOL ATLAS.

_From R. G. Parker, Author of “Progressive Exercises in English Composition,” and other popular works._

I have examined a copy of the Boston School Atlas, and have no hesitation in recommending it as the best introduction to the study of Geography that I have seen. The compiler has displayed much judgment in what he has _omitted_, as well as what he has selected; and has thereby presented to the public a neat manual of the elements of the science, unencumbered with useless matter and uninteresting detail. The mechanical execution of the work is neat and creditable, and I doubt not that its merits will shortly introduce it to general use.

Respectfully yours, R. G. PARKER.

_From E. Bailey, Principal of the Young Ladies’ High School, Boston._

I was so well pleased with the plan and execution of the Boston School Atlas, that I introduced it into my school, soon after the first edition was published. I regard it as the best work for beginners in the study of Geography which has yet fallen under my observation; as such I would recommend it to the notice of parents and teachers.

Very respectfully, E. BAILEY.

_From the Preceptors of Leicester Academy._

Among the great variety of school-books which have recently been published, few are in our opinion more valuable than the Boston School Atlas. As an introduction to the study of Geography, it is preferable to any work of the kind with which we are acquainted.

JOHN RICHARDSON, ALBERT SPOONER.

_From the Principal of New Ipswich (N. H.) Academy._

I have with much pleasure examined the copy of the Boston School Atlas, which you politely sent to me. I think it admirably well calculated to excite in the young mind a love of the study of Geography, and to convey correct ideas of the rudiments of that science. I shall be happy to recommend it wherever I have opportunity. It is, in my opinion, the very thing that is needed in our primary schools.

Respectfully yours, ROBERT A. COFFIN.

_From Mr. Emerson, formerly a Teacher in Boston._

I have examined the Boston School Atlas, and I assure you, I am highly pleased with it. It appears to me to contain exactly what it should, to render it an easy and adequate introduction to the study of Geography.

Yours, respectfully, F. EMERSON.

_From Rev. Benj. F. Farnsworth, Principal of the New Hampton Literary and Theological Seminary._

I have long lamented the deficiency of school-books in the elementary parts of education. A good introduction to the study of Geography has been much needed. The Boston School Atlas, recently published by you, appears well; and I think it should be preferred to most other works of the same class. I know of none that could be used with equal advantage in its place. I hope you may succeed in making School Committees and Teachers acquainted with this Introduction to an interesting and important study of our primary schools; as I doubt not that, in this case, it may obtain a very desirable patronage.

Yours, respectfully, BENJ. F. FARNSWORTH.

_From the United States Literary Advertiser, Boston._

This is one of the most beautiful elementary works of the kind, which has yet come within the range of our observation. The Maps are elegantly executed, and finely colored—and the whole work is got up in a style that cannot fail to insure its general introduction into our schools, as a most valuable standard book.

_From the Principal of one of the High Schools in Portland._

I have examined the Boston School Atlas, Elements of Geography, &c., and think it admirably adapted to beginners in the study of the several subjects treated on. It is what is wanted in all books for learners,—_simple_, _philosophical_, _and practical_. I hope it will be used extensively.

Yours respectfully, JAS. FURBISH.

_From Mr. Emerson, Author of the Spelling and Reading Books._

I have perused your Boston School Atlas with much satisfaction. It seems to me to be what has been needed as an introduction to the study of Geography, and admirably adapted to that purpose.

Very respectfully, yours, &c., B. D. EMERSON.

_From Rev. Dr. Perry, of E. Bradford._

I received, some months since, the Boston School Atlas, and having given it a trial among my children, I am free to say, that I think it very happily adapted to the wants and conveniences of beginners in Geography, and hope it may get into extensive use.

Respectfully, GARDNER B. PERRY.

ELEMENTAL GEOGRAPHY.

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.

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.

EXPLANATION OF MAPS.

A MAP is a picture of the whole, or of a part, of the Earth’s surface, on a plane or level. Generally the top of a map represents _north_; the right hand side, _east_; the bottom, _south_; the left hand side, _west_. West, east, north, and south, are called the Cardinal Points.

Young persons in studying maps, imbibe an idea that the top of a map represents the _highest part of a country_; but this is a great mistake, as will be at once seen, by looking at the maps, and finding many rivers flow north, and recollecting that water cannot flow up hill. That part of a country is the most elevated, which contains mountains, and where rivers have their source.

_Cities_ and _towns_ are represented on maps by an o; _rivers_, by black lines running irregularly; _mountains_, by dark shades; _deserts_, by clusters of small dots; _boundaries_, by dotted lines.

The AXIS of the earth is an imaginary line passing through its centre from north to south. The extremities of the Axis are called the POLES.

The EQUATOR or EQUINOX, is an imaginary circle, surrounding the Earth from west to east, at an equal distance from the poles. See Map of the World, fig. 2.

A MERIDIAN, or Line of Longitude, is a circle crossing the equator at right angles, and passing through the poles. See fig. 4.

PARALLELS OF LATITUDE, are lines, drawn across maps, representing circles equally distant in every part from the equator. See fig. 3.

The TROPICS are two circles parallel to the equator, at about 23 degrees and 28 minutes from it. The northern is called, the _Tropic of Cancer_; and the southern, the _Tropic of Capricorn_. See fig. 2.

The POLAR CIRCLES are drawn at 23 degrees and 28 minutes from the poles. The northern, is the _Arctic_, and the southern, the _Antarctic Circle_. See fig. 2.

A DEGREE is the 360th part of a circle, and contains 69½ English miles; each degree is divided into 60 equal parts, called minutes; and each minute into 60 equal parts, called seconds. They are marked (°) degrees, (’) minutes, (”) seconds.

The LONGITUDE of a place, is its distance from any given meridian, as Washington, London, or Greenwich, and is reckoned in degrees, &c. on the equator. Longitude is marked in figures, either on the equator, or at the top and bottom of the map, and can be reckoned only 180 degrees east or west, that distance being half of a circle. _Longitude, on most of these maps, is reckoned from the meridian of Greenwich, near London._

The LATITUDE of a place is its distance in degrees, &c. north or south from the equator, and is expressed in figures on the sides of the map. Latitude can never exceed 90 degrees.

The ZONES are portions of the Earth’s surface divided by the tropics and polar circles. There are five zones, viz. one torrid, two temperate, and two frigid zones. See Map of the World, fig. 1.

The _Torrid Zone_ is included between the tropics, and is distinguished for extreme heat, and luxuriant vegetation; the climate is generally unhealthy.

The _Temperate Zones_ are included between the tropics and the polar circles; they have a healthy climate, and produce the greatest abundance of the most useful commodities.

The _Frigid Zones_ lie between the polar circles and the poles, and are remarkable for extreme coldness of climate and general barrenness of soil.

A HEMISPHERE is half a globe. The map of the world is divided into the western and eastern Hemispheres; and the equator divides it into northern and southern Hemispheres.

The DIAMETER of the earth, _that is, the distance through its centre_, is about eight thousand miles; and its CIRCUMFERENCE, _that is, the distance round it_, is about twenty-five thousand miles.

_In tracing the relative situation of places_, the pupil must remember to follow the direction of the parallels and meridians, and not be governed merely by the apparent direction of one place from another. Thus, on the map of the world, Iceland appears north from Newfoundland, but it is northeast. Therefore, the direction towards the top and bottom of maps is not always _exactly_ north and south; but to go north you must proceed toward the north pole; and south, toward the south pole;—following the direction of the lines.

The preceding principles should be rendered as perfectly familiar to the pupil as the letters of the alphabet. To secure this object, the learner is required, in the following pages, to define a continent, an ocean, latitude, longitude, &c. in connexion with the subject of questions on the maps. It will also be useful, after the pupil has passed the map of the world, frequently to require similar definitions to be repeated, when naturally suggested by the subject, and thus impress the learner with the necessity of being always prepared to answer them. This method furnishes a general review of Elemental Geography through the whole course of studying the maps, and will give variety and pleasure to the exercise.

QUESTIONS ON THE MAP OF THE WORLD.

N. B. The Questions in _Italics_ are to be answered by referring to the preceding elementary principles.

1. _Of what two elements is the surface of the earth composed?_ 2. Of which is there the greater part?

3. _How is land divided?_ 4. _What is a Continent, and how many are there?_ 5. Which contains the more land? 6. _By what is the surface of the land diversified?_ 7. Asia, Europe, Africa, and America, are called the Grand Divisions of the earth;—which of them is largest? 8. Which is smallest? 9. How is North America bounded? 10. South America? 11. Europe? 12. Asia? 13. Africa? 14. Which way is South America from Africa? 15. Europe from North America?

16. _What is an Island?_ 17. What large island lies south from Asia? 18. Where is New Zealand? 19. Which are the principal of the East India Islands? 20. Of the West India Islands? 21. Of Australasia? 22. Of Polynesia? 23. Australasia, Polynesia, and the East India Islands, are sometimes embraced under the general name OCEANICA;—which of these groups contains the largest islands? 24. Where is Owhyhee, where Capt. Cook was slain? 25. St. Helena, where Bonaparte ended his life?

26. _What is a Peninsula?_ 27. Which of the divisions of the Eastern continent is a peninsula? 28. Is South America properly a peninsula or an island?

29. _What is an Isthmus?_ 30. What isthmus connects Asia with Africa? 31. North with South America?

32. _What is a Cape?_ 33. Which are the principal capes of New Zealand? 34. Where is the Cape of Good Hope? 35. Cape Horn? 36. Which is further south?