190 DESCRIPTIVE GEOGRAPHIY. 
South American Scenery. 
for the number and richness of its mines of gold, silver, mer- 
cury, and precious stones, 
3. The climate of South America possesses every variety 
which vast extent and great diversity of surface can give, Its 
vegetable productions are numerous and valuable, and com- 
prise the chief articles raised in tropical and temperate regions. 
4. The principal mountains are the Andes, which range 
along the western shores of South America, from north to 
south, The highest peak, Mount Sorata, is almost five miles 
high. "The mountains of Brazil extend along a great part of 
:he eastern coast, and are in height from 3,000 to 6,000 feet, 
5, The Andes contain numorous volcanoes, many of which are 
sonstantly burning : the most noted is Cotopaxi, near Quito, one of 
‘he loftiest volcunoes in the world ; the noise of its eruptions has been 
heard 600 miles, and the flames from its mouth have been known to 
ascend half & mile high. 
6. The principal rivers are the Amazon, Rio de la Plata, 
and Orinoco, "The first, though not the longest, is the largest, 
river in the world: and drains, with its tributaries, an extent 
of country nearly equal to the whole of Europe: its chief 
branches rival the largest rivers of the eastern continent, 
America? 2, For what is it noted? For what unrivalled ? 3, What ie 
said of'the climate? Productions? 4, ‚Which are the prineipal moun. 
ins? "The highest peak? 5. What is suid of volcanoes? 6. Of the