There are many high hills, some so very high as to be called mountains. There is a chain of these mountains called the Appalachians along the eastern part of North America. They extend for many miles north and south.

The scenery in this region is very beautiful. The mountains are covered mostly with forests of pine, spruce, oak, maple, chestnut and other trees. These are cut down for lumber. In the wilder parts of these forests live squirrels, rabbits, bears and snakes. At places the trees have been cut down to make room for fields of grain.

The mountains are full of useful minerals. Coal and iron are mined in the Appalachians.

The highest mountains in North America are on the western part. One great chain or range extends the entire length of North America from the Arctic Ocean down into South America. Great forests grow on these mountains.

In many places in the United States are huge masses of rock on which nothing grows, so this range has been called the Rocky Mountains. It is always bitter cold at the top of some of these mountains because they reach so high. Even in summer they are capped with snow.

West of the Rocky Mountains is the Pacific Mountain System including the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Gold and silver are still mined today in the west. In the wild parts of the forests, where no people live, deer, wolves and bears may be found.

Notebook Work: Label the top of your notebook page with "LESSON 39." Draw North America. Draw the Rocky Mountains and the Appalachian Mountains in the United States. Show that the Rocky Mountains are much higher than the Appalachians. Label each mountain range with its name. Label the drawing, "NORTH AMERICAN MOUNTAINS."