PART I. PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY. CHAP. I. Mountains CHAP. II. Valleys CHAP. III. Prairies and Plains CHAP. IV. Rivers CHAP. V. Cataracts and Cascades CHAP. VI. Lakes CHAP. VII. Springs CHAP. VIII. Caverns CHAP. IX. Islands CHAP. X. Capes and Peninsulas CHAP. XI. Bays, Harbors, Sounds, and Gulfs CHAP. XII. Oceans CHAP. XIII. Soil CHAP. XIV. Climate CHAP. XV. Minerals CHAP. XVI. Animals CHAP. XVII. Botany CHAP. XVIII. Geology CHAP. XIX. Natural Curiosities PART II. POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. CHAP. I. Political and Geographical Division CHAP. II. Cities and Towns CHAP. III. Agriculture CHAP. IV. Manufactures CHAP. V. Commerce CHAP. VI. Rail-roads CHAP. VII. Canals CHAP. VIII. Government CHAP. IX. Convention CHAP. X. Indian Tribes CHAP. XI. American Antiquities CHAP. XII. Religion CHAP. XIII. Manners and Amusements CHAP. XIV. Penitentiary System CHAP. XVI. Literature and Education CHAP. XVII. Fine Arts CHAP. XVIII. Banking System CHAP. XIX. Biographical Sketches CHAP. XX. History BOOK OF THE UNITED STATES. PART I. PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY. CHAPTER I.――MOUNTAINS. THOUGH embracing in its extent several elevated ranges of great length and breadth, the territory of the United States cannot be considered as a mountainous country. The land along the whole line of the seacoast is level for a considerable distance into the interior. The breadth of this level tract expands from fifty miles in the north-east extremity, gradually, as we advance to the south-west, till in the state of Georgia, it has attained an extent of near two hundred miles. Beyond this the land gradually rises into mountains, which are much more remarkable for their length and breadth, than their height. They sometimes consist of numerous parallel ridges rising successively behind each other; at other times they run into knots; and sometimes they recede from their parallel direction into what are called spurs. These ranges or belts of mountainous country, though receiving a vast number of different appellations, are most usually known by the name of the _Alleghanies_. The long continuity of this chain has obtained it the name of the _Endless Mountains_, from the northern savages. The French and Spaniards, who first became acquainted with it in Florida, applied to it through its whole extent the name of _Apalachian_, which is still retained by a considerable river of that country. The general course of the Alleghanies is about north-east and south-west; east of the Hudson they are scattered in irregular groups, without any very marked direction.