First Lessons In Geography.

by James Monteith.

PREFACE

It is evident, that to secure a complete system of teaching Geography in our Schools, there should be at least three grades of Text-books; namely, INTRODUCTORY, INTERMEDIATE, and ADVANCED. As the necessity for a Geography more introductory in its character than those now in use has been long felt, the Author would respectfully solicit the notice of his fellow-teachers to this little work.

Its plan is such, that the subject is presented in the most simple form.

It treats of GENERAL FEATURES, such as the locality and description of Continents, Countries, States, Rivers, Mountains, &c., without dwelling prematurely upon the minute details that embarra.s.s the learner in his first effort.

The EXERCISES are arranged in Question and Answer.

The MAPS are free from all meridians, parallels of lat.i.tude, and any superabundance of names; thereby giving a greater prominence to the general divisions of land and water.

FIRST LESSONS IN GEOGRAPHY.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Going to School.]

LESSON I.

Q. What is Geography?

A. A description of the Earth's surface.

Q. What is the Earth?

A. The planet or body on which we live.

Q. What is the shape of the Earth?

A. Round, like a ball.

Q. Of what is the Earth composed?

A. Land and Water.

LESSON II.

Q. What is a Continent?

A. The largest division of the land.

Q. How many Continents are there?

A. Two; the Eastern and the Western.

Q. On which Continent do we live?

A. On the Western Continent.

Q. What are the divisions of the Western Continent?

A. North America and South America.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Map of the World.]

Q. What are the divisions of the Eastern Continent?

A. Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Q. What is an Ocean?

A. The largest division of the water.

Q. How many Oceans are there?

A. Five; Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern or Antarctic, Northern or Arctic.

LESSON III.

Q. Which is the largest Ocean?

A. The Pacific Ocean.