272. It has been remarked that the greatest altitude at which bananas and other palm-trees grow in America is about 3280 feet above the level of the sea ([Frontispiece, Fig. 48]): that in the torrid zone, the superior limits of oaks is about 10,500 feet ([49]), of pines 12,000 feet ([50]), and of lichen plants 18,225 feet ([51]). The American travellers, Messrs. Humboldt and Bonpland, on the twenty-third of June, 1802, ascended the mountain of Chimborazo to the height of 19,400 feet ([52]). The highest flight that has been remarked of the South American vulture, called the condor, was 21,000 feet ([53]). M. Lussac, on the 16th of September, 1804, ascended in a balloon from Paris, to the height of 22,900 feet. In Switzerland, the limit of perpetual snow is above the altitude of 9000 feet ([54]).

Height of the Principle Mountains.

British Islands.

ScotlandBen Nevis, Inverness-shire14380
Ben Lawers, Perthshire24051
EnglandSkiddaw, Cumberland33530
Cross Fell, Cumberland43390
Helvellyn, Cumberland53324
Wharnside, Yorkshire62480
Ingleborough, Yorkshire72380
WalesSnowdon, Caernarvonshire83568
Cader Idris, Merionethshire93550
IrelandMacgillicuddy’s Reeks, Kerry103404
Sleibh-Dorin, Londonderry113150

Continent of Europe.

FranceMont d’Or, Auvergne126707
Puy de Sausi, Auvergne136700
PyreneesMont Perdu, the highest of the Pyrenees1411,283
Le Pic Blanc, Spain1510,205
AlpsLoucira1614,451
Loupilon1714,144
SwitzerlandMont Blanc, highest mountain in Europe1815,680
Mont Rosa1915,555
Mont St. Gothard2010,014
ItalyMont Cimone216401
Vesuvius223900
GermanyOrtler-Spitze, Tyrol2315,430
Ostelle, Saltzburg2412,800
Carpathian Mountains, highest summit258640
Lomnitz Peak268640
SwedenAreskutan, Jempland276180

Islands.

TeneriffePeak of Teneriffe2812,236
SicilyÆtna2910,963
JamaicaBlue Mountains307431
IcelandSnæfiel316860
Hecla324900

Asia.

IndiaDhawalgeri in Nepaul4627,667
Mountains of Thibet4723,262
TurkeyMount Lebanon, estimated at339520
in AsiaMount Ararat, estimated at349500
Mount Ida354960