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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1811 Excerpt:...From the 18.;.0 to the 21 of latitude, in the intendancies of la Puebla and Mexico, from Misteca to the mines of Zimapan, the" Cordillera stretches from south to north, and approaches the eastern coast. In this part of the great plain of Anahuac, between the capital of Mexico, and the small cities of Xalappa and Cordoba, a groupe of mountains appears which rivals the most elevated summits of the new continent. It is enough to name four of these Colossi whose heights were unknown before my expedition; Popocatepetl, 5400 metres (or '-2771 toises); Iztaccihuatl, or the white woman, 4786 metres for 2455 toises); Citlaltepetl, or the Pic d'Orizaba, 5295 metres (or 2717 toises); and Nauhcampatepetl, or the Cofre de Perote, 4089 metres 'or 2089 toises). This groupe of volcanic mountains bears a strong analogy with that of the kingdom of Quito. If the height attributed to Mount St. Elie f be exact, we may admit that it is only under the 19 and 60 of latitude that mountains in the northern hemisphere reach the enormous elevation of 5400 metres above the level of the ocean. Excepting the Cofre de Perote, these four measurements are all geometrical; but the bases being from 11 to 1200 toises elevated above the level of the sea, this first part of the total height was calculated according to the barometrical formula of M. Laplace. The word PopocatepeU is derived from popocatu smoke, and tepeil mountain; and Iztaccihuatl from iztac white, and ciuatl woman. Citlaltepetl signifies a mountain brilliant as a star, from citlaltinc star, and tqyetl mountain; for the Pic d'Orizaba appears at a distance like a star when it emits fire. Nauhcampatepetl is derived from Navkcampa, any thing square. It alludes to the form of the small porpbyritical rock at the summit of the mou...