CONTENTS:

PREFACE

I. THE APPROACHES TO AMERICA

II. THE FORM OF THE CONTINENT

III. THE GEOGRAPHIC PROVINCES OF NORTH AMERICA

IV. THE GARMENT OF VEGETATION

V. THE RED MAN IN AMERICA

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTE




PREFACE

In writing this book the author has aimed first to present in readable 
form the main facts about the geographical environment of American 
history. Many important facts have been omitted or have been touched upon 
only lightly because they are generally familiar. On the other hand, 
special stress has been laid on certain broad phases of geography which 
are comparatively unfamiliar. One of these is the similarity of form 
between the Old World and the New, and between North and South America;
another is the distribution of indigenous types of vegetation in North 
America; and a third is the relation of climate to health and energy. In 
addition to these subjects, the influence of geographical conditions upon 
the life of the primitive Indians has been emphasized. This factor is 
especially important because people without iron tools and beasts of 
burden, and without any cereal crops except corn, must respond to their 
environment very differently from civilized people of today. Limits of 
space and the desire to make this book readable have led to the omission 
of the detailed proof of some of the conclusions here set forth. The
special student will recognize such cases and will not judge them until he 
has read the author's fuller statements elsewhere. The general reader, for 
whom this book is designed, will be thankful for the omission of such 
purely technical details.