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ut Geography is a description of the earth.

The earth may be considered in three different
ways:

(1.) In its relations to the solar system ;

(2.) In its relations to government and society ;

(3.) In its relations to nature.

Hence arise three distinct branches of geog-
raphy—Mathematical, Political, and Physical.

2. Mathematical Geography treats of the earth
in its relations to the solar system.

Mathematical Geography forms the true basis for
accurate geographical study, since by the view we thus
obtain of the earth in its relations to the other members
of the solar system, we are enabled to form clearer concep-
tions of the laws which govern terrestrial phenomena,
Here we learn the location of the earth in space, its size,
form, and movements, its division by imaginary lines, and
the methods of representing portions of its surface on maps.

3. Political Geography treats of the earth in
its relations to the governments and societies of
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INTRODUCTORY.

men, of the manner of life of a people, and of
their civilization and government.

4, Physical Geography treats of the earth in
its relations to nature and to the natural laws by
which it is governed. It treats especially of the

- systematic distribution of all animate and inani-

mate objects found on the earth’s surface. It not
only tells of their presence in a given locality,
but it also endeavors to discover the causes and
results of their existence.

Physical Geography, therefore, treats of, the
distribution of six classes of objects—Land, Water,
Air, Plants, Animals, and Minerals.

Geography deals with the inside as well as with the out-
side of the earth. It encroaches here on the province of
geology. Both treat of the earth: geography mainly with
the earth’s present condition ; geology with its condition
both in the past and present, though mainly during the past.

_ Some authors make physical geography a branch of geol-
ogy, and call it physiographic geology, but we prefer the
word “physical,’”’ or as the etymology would make it,
“natural” geography.

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