CHAP. III.-INTRODUCTION continued.

HOW THE WORLD IS DIVIDED INTO LAND AND WATER.

1. I HAVE said that about two thirds of the face of the earth are covered with water. This water is one vast salt sea, but to different parts of it we give different names.

2. That part which lies between Europe and America is called the Atlantic Ocean, and is about three thousand miles wide; that part which lies between America and Asia is called the Pacific Ocean, and is about ten thousand miles wide. There are many other names given to other parts of the great salt sea.

3. Ships, as you well know, sail from one country to another upon the water, and in this way a great deal of trade or commerce is carried on. But, as mankind live on the land, my stories will chiefly relate to what has happened there.

4. I suppose you have heard people speak of the four quarters of the world. By this they mean Europe, Asia, Africa, and America. Besides these, there are a great many pieces of land encircled by water, called islands.

5. In the Pacific Ocean there are many of these, the inhabitants of which are very numerous. These islands are considered a fifth division of the world, which is called Oceania. Many people divide the world into six parts, thus: Europe, Asia, Africa, America, Australasia, and Polynesia. Oceania, however, comprehends the two latter.

6. Now, what I am going to tell you has happened in these different parts of the world. In order to understand my stories, it is necessary you should look over the maps which are here given. These will show you where the different countries are about which I am going to speak.

QUESTIONS.-1. What of the great mass of water that covers two thirds of the earth? 2. What of the Atlantic Ocean? The Pacific? 3. What of ships? What of the land? 4. What are the four quarters of the world? What is an island? 5. What of Oceania?

I wish you to answer the following questions from the maps.

What ocean lies east of America? What lies to the west? Into what two parts is America divided? Which way is Europe from America? Which way is Africa? How far is Europe from America? How far is Africa? What ocean lies west of Europe? What lies to the west of Africa? What to the south of Africa and Asia? What to the east of 'Asia? How is Europe bounded? Which way is it from Africa? How is Africa bounded? How is Africa separated from Asia? What sea lies between Africa and Europe? Are Europe and Asia separated by water, or do they lie together in one piece of land? How is Asia bounded? Point your finger toward Asia. Toward Europe. Toward Africa.

CHAP. IV.-INTRODUCTION continued.

ABOUT THE INHABITANTS OF ASIA, AFRICA, AND OTHER COUNTRIES.

1. BEFORE I proceed farther, I must tell you that Asia is a vast country with a multitude of cities, occupied by a great many different nations.

2. The principal of these nations are-the Tartars, who wander from place to place, and dwell chiefly in tents; the Arabs, who have large flocks of camels and fine horses,

with which they roam over the desert; the Hindoos, or inhabitants of India, who travel about on elephants, and worship idols; the Persians, who are very fond of poetry, and have splendid palaces; the Chinese, from whom we get tea; and the Turks, who sit on cushions instead of chairs.

3. The whole population of Asia is about five hundred and ninety millions, which is more than half the inhabitants of the whole globe. It has ten times as many people as the whole of North and South America put together.

4. Africa, you know, is the native land of the negroes. It has a few large cities, but the whole number of people is but eighty six millions.

5. Europe is divided into several nations, such as the English, French, Italians, Spaniards, Germans, Russians, and others. It has many fine cities, and about two hundred and sixty millions of inhabitants.

6. America has some large cities, and many pleasant towns and villages, but more than half the country is uninhabited. The whole population is about fifty millions.

7. Oceania, as I have before said, consists of many islands in the Pacific Ocean. One of these, Australia, is the largest island on the globe. On account of the continual additions made, the population of these places cannot be stated with. any degree of correctness.

QUESTIONS.-1. What of Asia? 2. What are the principal nations of Asia? 3. Population of Asia? 4. What of Africa? Population?