on geography, and voyages and travels, that have been consulted. But this would be useless ostentation; and I only request that credit may be given me for having used due diligence and judgment in the collection of materials, and for having seriously attempted to divest myself of all partialities and prejudices which might give a false colouring to my delineations. The style I have always endeavoured to make my own; and I have freely indulged a spirit of reflection whenever I thought it could be employed to a good purpose.

No particular class or age of readers has been in my view in this performance. If it prove answerable to my intentions, young persons of both sexes, at the period of finishing their education, may peruse it with advantage, as a summary of what is most important to be remembered relative to the topics treated of; and it may afford compendious information and matter for reflection to those of maturer years, who are destitute of time and opportunity for copious research.

ÁDVERTISEMENT.

THE writings of Dr. Aikin are so highly esteemed, both in Europe and America, that it would be superfluous to praise them, or to recommend them to the notice of the public. Though we possess many geographical works, and some of merit, yet it is presumed that the publication of Aikin's Geographical Delineations in this country needs no apology. It is sufficient to inform the reader, that many competent judges have examined the work, and pronounce it neat, perspicuous, and useful; well adapted to the instruction of youth, and the information of persons of mature age. Perhaps it is no exaggerated praise of this work to assert, that no geographical book of equal extent is, in all respects, so fit for the purposes of instruction and general reading.

Some improvements have been made in the American edition, which render it superior to the English. The alterations and improvements that deserve particular notice occur in the articles Britain and United States, of which the former has been reduced by the omission of a few local descriptions of no importance to foreigners, and the latter corrected and enlarged by the addition of some things of interest and value. The alterations and additions are so numerous in the article United States, that it was most convenient, and indeed necessary, to incorporate them with the text; consequently they could not be distinguished by any of the usual marks without injuring the appearance of the typography. The introduction and the appendix are entirely new, and the latter may be considered as a continuation of the former, but is not necessarily connected with it.

January, 1807.

F. N.

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INTRODUCTION.

Definitions respecting the Circle and Sphere.

1. A circle is a plain figure bounded by a curved line, called the circumference, which is every where equally distant from a point within the figure called the centre.

2. A diameter of a circle is a straight line drawn through the centre and terminated both ways by the circumference.

3. An arc of a circle is any part of the circumference.

4. The circumference of every circle is supposed to be divided into 360 equal parts, called degrees, and each degree into 60 equal parts, called minutes, and each minute into 60 equal parts, called seconds.

Degrees, minutes, and seconds are usually marked thus, 21° 5′ 6′′; which are read 21 degrees 5 minutes 6 seconds. 5. The plane of a circle is the space contained within the circumference.

6. A circle revolving round any diameter, as an axis of motion, may be conceived to generate a solid figure, which is called a sphere or globe.

7. The centre of the generating circle is the centre of the sphere; and any straight line passing through the centre of the sphere and terminated both ways by the surface, is called a diameter.

8. Any circle, the plane of which passes through the centre of the sphere, divides the sphere into two equal parts, and is called a great circle."