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been eftimated with any degree of exadnefs. The Alleghaney being the great ridge which divides the waters of the Atlantic from thofe of the Miffifipi, its fummit is doubtlefs more elevated above the ocean than that of any other mountain. But its relative height, com- pared with the bafe on which it flands, is not fo great as that of fome others, the country riling behind the fucceflive ridges like the fleps of flairs. The mountains of the Blue rido;e, and of thefe the Peaks of Otter, are thought to be of a greater height, meafured from their bafe, than any others in our country, and perhaps in North America, From data, which may found a tolerable conjefture, we fup- pofe the higheft peak to be about 4000 feet perpendicular, which is not a fifth part of the height of the mountains of South America, nor one third of the height which would be neceffary in our latitude to preferve ice in the open air unmelted through the year. The ridge of mountains next beyond the Blue ridge, called by us the North mountain, is of the greateft extent; for which reafon they were named by the Indians the Endlefs mountains.

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