It consists of two large peninsulas, di-
vided by a long, narrow neck of land,
called. the Isthmus of Darien, or Panama,
whidi at one part is only sixty miles aerofis
from ocean to ocean. One of these peri--
insulaa is called North, and the other
South America. . ;

The whole extent from north to south
is 8000 miles, and it is situated between
the 80th degree of north, and the 50th
degree of south latitude*

A country of such vast extent on ieach
side of the eqoator, must necessarily have
a variety of soib and climates. It is a
•treajiury of nature, producing most of the
metals, minerals, plants, drugs, frnits,
trees, ami wood, to be met with in other
parts of the worM^ besides some peculiar
to itself. It also possesses diamonds, €me-*>
raids, and other valtiable stones^ with im-^
mense quantities of gold and silver.
Tlie chief articles of commerce . are,
CQitoo, si lit, furs, cxx^hiocal, logwood, ma'-
bogany, tobacco, sugar, corn, and drugs.
The 'native American Indians are tall
and well-proportiorrwi,. of regular featiutes^
reddish brown complexion, fierce counte-
nance, and have long blact Ivw. T^<^^

O 4



1 28 AMEEICA,

are mostly gross idolaters, are divided mta
tribes, over each of which there is a chief,
^hd still retain possession of several large
tracts of the land,

America contains many noble rivera. —
Ju the northern peninsula, the chief are
the Mississippi, St. Lawrence, Hudson,
Delaware, Susquehana, and Potomac.-^
In the south are the Amazon^ Rio de la
Plata, Oroonoko, &c.
The principal lakes are those of Canada,
.which are indeed large inland seas, com*
municating with each other^ and give rise
to sevesal great rivers.
