The largest rivers are noticed under their proper heads. [Dorian; Enno ; Taws.] Tho other principal rivers are noticed under the names of those provinces in which they have the whole or the greatest part of their courses. The Milo (Minho in Portuguese) is noticed under GALICIA • the Guadiana, under CASTILLA LA NUEVA and ALES& TEJO ; the under ANDALUCIA; the Segura, under Muncie ; the Guadalajara, under CASTILLA Le NUEiA; and so the rest, Gcology.—Tho several mountain ranges of the Spanish peninsula, mostly extending from east-north-cast to west-south-west, consist of primary rocks, but are separated from each other by extensive basins of tertiary strata.
The central portion of the Pyrenees, and the continuation of the chain through Biscays. and Asturias, is composed of quartzose and schistose rocks, red sandstones, shales, and gray limestones. The sierras east of Burgos extending to the Moncayo are crystalline schists, flanked by masses of sandstone and shale. The Sierra de Guadarrama, the main ridge of the Castilian table-land, consists of gneiss and other crystalline schists, with eubordivate limestones pierced by granite. These central crystalline rocks are flanked by schists and officious sandstones. The Sierra Morena consists mostly of lower silurian rocks, which extend eastward into Murcia, and there occupy the largest part of the mountain region. The inferior portion of the Sierra Morena consists of schists and intercalated dark limestones, with quartzose sandstones, which, being very hard, form the peaks of the lower ridges. The upper silurian rocks aro slightly exhibited in parts of the Sierra Morena, and also in some places on the southern flank of the Pyrenees. The rocks of the Sierra Nevada have been much metamorphosed. They seem to be of the same age as those of the Sierra Morena and the sierras of Murcia.
The same palmozoic succession seems to have prevailed over all the peninsula previous to the surface having been thrown up into those ridges which now form lines of separation between the different provinces. They have all been conformably and apparently simulta neously elevated.
The lower silurian limestones of Murcia contain the richest silver and lead-mines in Spain, particularly near Cartagena and in the Sierra de Almagrera. In Asturias carboniferous deposits are superimposed on limestones, some of which rise to the summits of the highest mountains. About 80 beds of coal have been recognised, most of which are nearly vertical. Valuable ores of iron exist among the Asturian Mountains, and some of them are wrought to advantage. Carboniferous deposits occupy a considerable area on the southern flanks of the Sierra Morena, and some of the beds of coal aro wrought. The valuable quicksilver-mines are in a formation of dark-coloured slates. (Amu n Ex.1
allude and Productions.—The climate of Spain varies exceedingly in consequence of the great differences of elevation and diversity of position. The central table-land is exceedingly hot in summer, and cold in winter. (.))main.] The coasts of the Mediterranean Sea are very hot in summer, and the atmosphere is very mild in winter. The winter is the season for rain. On the northern and western coasts the annual fall of rain is from 25 to 35 inches, while on the central table-land it is only 10 inches. • The most common kinds of grain which are cultivated in Spain are wheat, maize, barley, and rice. The largest quantity of wheat is produced in the northern province; in Cataluna, and on the plains of Castilla la Vieja and Leon. Rice is only grown in the countries along the Mediterranean, from the boundary of France to Cabo de Palos. Other objects of agriculture are hemp and flax, especially in the basin of the Ebro, and madder and saffron on the table-land in the vicinity of Cuenca. In the southern districts the sugar-cane and cotton are cultivated. The most common vegetables are (lsions, pumpkins, cucumbers, melons, water-melons, potatoes, beans, and peas. Many fruit-trees are cultivated, as almond; figs, pomegranates, lemons, oranges, pistachio-nuts, carobes, dates in the southern districts, walnuts, hazel-nuts, and especially chestnuts. The cheatnut-trees in some of the northern districts cover large tracts. Olive-treee occur in all parts, except the northern mountainous tracts, and tho vine yards aro extensive, except on the most elevated regions. Several of the Spanish wines are considerable articles of commerce, as Xeres (sherry), Malaga, Alicante, Malvssia, Tinto, and Val do Pehaa. The annual produce of wine in Spain is about 120,000,000 gallons, of which Malaga produces from 30,000 to 40,000 butts (3,500,000 gallons), Andalucia 400,000 butts (40,000,000 gallons), Cataluna 600,000 pipes (60,000,000 gallons), Toledo 6,000,000 gallons, and Valencia 9,000,000 gallons. Brandy and raisins also are articles of export. Among the wild-trees are the sweet-acom oak (Quercus ballots), the cork-tree (Quermu the kermea oak (Quercus coccifera), and the sumach tree. On the Asturian Mountains and on the southern slopes and offsets of the Pyrenees, there are large forests of fine timber-trees. The plant from which the basina is obtained is cultivated in the plain of Murcia and some adjacent districta. The liquorice-plant is abundant in the vicinity of Sevilla and near the mouth of the Ebro, and the prepared junco is sent to all parts of Europe. Tho esparto-ruah is used for making ropes, mats, baskets, &c.