EXPLANATORY READERS, No. 5. THE ALPS. com-mu-ni-ca'-tion lux-u'-ri-ant-ly sin'-gu-lar-ly ac-ces'-si-ble im-meas'-ur-a-ble con-struc'-tion sac-ri-fic-ing hos'-pi-ces pe-cu-li-ar'-i-ties com-par -i-son per-pet'-u-al-ly dim-in'-ish-ing pas'-tu-ra-ges ag-gres'-sion reck'-oned o-ver-whelm' ab-yss'-es av'-a-lanch-es ut ́-ter-an-ces im-pres ́-sions THE ALPS is the most extensive 'system of lofty mountains in Europe. The word Alp, or Alb, signifying in the 2Celtic language "white," was the name given to these mountains on account of their summits being perpetually covered with snow. The surface of Switzerland is covered by the lofty ranges of the Alps. Valleys open out in all directions, sending their melted snows on one side into the North Sea, on another into the Black Sea, and on another into the Mediterranean. 3 The vine grows luxuriantly on the southern slopes of these mountains, being found at the height of over two thousand feet, together with maize and chestnuts. Grain, beech, and oak are met with up to the height of four thousand feet; above this, trees become gradually smaller, till at the height of six thousand feet they cease to exist. A rich carpet of grass and flowers covers the Alps up to the height of eight thousand feet, and this forms the region of |