631

*

** Dr. Brewster, in Part I. Vol. IX. of the Edinburgh Philosophical Transactions, gives the following formula for ascertaining the mean temperature in a given latitude, in the old world. If T denote the mean temperature in any given latitude, and 81°.5 the observed temperature on the equator, the formula becomes

Table of the most Remarkable Heights in different Parts of the World, expressed in English Feet.

The Altitudes

measured by the Barometer are marked B, while those derived from Geometrical Operations, and taken chiefly from the Observations of General Mudge, are distinguished by the letter G.

Feet.

Snæ Fiall Jokull, on the north-west point of Iceland,
Hekla, volcanic mountain in Iceland,

Sulitelma, in Lapland,

5910 B

Nuppi Vara, the highest of the table-land in Lapland,

2655 B

Lommijauri, elevated lake in Lapland,

2265 B

Drifstue, the highest pastoral hamlet in Norway,

2457 B

Snahatta, centre of the Norwegian mountains,

8120 B

Harebacke, Alpine ridge of Norway,

4575 B

Pap of Caithness,

1929

Ben Nevis, Inverness-shire, highest mountain in Scotland,

4358 G

Paps of Jura, south and north, in Argyleshire, 2359 and 2470

Snea Fell, in the Isle of Man,

2004 G

South Berule, in Isle of Man,

1584 G

Macgillicuddy's Reeks, County of Kerry,

3404 G

Sliebh Donard, the highest of the Mourne Mountains,

2786 G

Helvellyn, Cumberland,

3055 G

Village of St. Pierre, on the road to Great St. Bernard,

5338 B

6778 B

Ortler Spitze, in the Tyrol,

Cross Glockner, between the Tyrol and Carinthia,

Rigiberg, above the Lake of Lucerne,

Dôle, the highest point of the chain of Jura,

5412 B

Mont Perdu, in the Pyrenees,

11283

Loneira, in the department of the high Alps,

14451

Peak of Arbizon, in the department of the high Pyrenees,

8344

City of Quito,

Ophir, in the centre of the Island of Sumatra,
St. Elias, on the Western coast of North America,
White Mountain, in the State of Massachusetts,
Chimborazo, highest summit of the Andes,
Antisana, volcanic mountain in the kingdom of Quito,
Shepherd station on that mountain,

Cotopaxi, volcanic mountain in the kingdom of Quito,
Tonguragua, volcanic mountain, near Riobomba,
Rucu de Pichincha, in the kingdom of Quito, -
Heights of Assuay, the ancient Peruvian road,

Peak of Orizaba, volcanic mountain east from Mexico,
Lake of Toluca, in the kingdom of Mexico,

City of Mexico,

Silla de Caraccas, part of the chain of Venezuela,
Blue Mountains, in the Island of Jamaica,
Pelée, in the Island of Martinique,

13842

12672

6230 B

21440 B

19150 B

13500 B

18890 B

16579 B

15940 B

15540 B

17390 G

12195 B

9 560 B

7476 B

8640 B

7431

5100

In this list of altitudes, I have not ventured to insert the Himalaya or Snowy Mountains, the Imaus of the Ancients, or Great Central Chain of Upper Asia, to which some late accounts from India would assign the stupendous elevation from 23,000 to 27,000 feet. Such at least are the results of observations made with a small sextant and an artificial horizon, at the enormous distance of 226 or 232 miles, as computed indeed from very short bases. But even with the best instruments, and under the most favourable circumstances, the determination of minute vertical angles is, from the influence of horizontal refraction, liable to much uncertainty. The progress of accurate observation has uniformly reduced the estimated altitudes of mountains. More recent statements accordingly diminish those heights near 2000 feet.

END OF VOL. I.