Part 28

To render ‘of the earth’s surface’, form a compound noun by combining the corresponding German terms of the nouns ‘earth’ and ‘surface’.

A. When the component parts of =Compound Nouns= are substantives, we combine them often without any connecting link; as—+das Lasttier+, beast of burden; +das Stadtviertel+, the quarter of a town, ward.

B. Neither do we require a connecting link for the formation of =Compound Nouns= the first component of which is an adjective or a particle; as—+die Großmutter+, grandmother; +das Unglück+, misfortune; +der Urquell+, fountain-head.

C. The =Gender of Compound Nouns= (with the exception of a few compounds with +Mut+, m.) is determined by the last component, which is always a noun.

‘leaving — islands’. This passage may be rendered thus: ‘so that all the high lands (+Erhöhungen+), as (+wie+) mountain-ranges, etc. ... rise dry above the same; to rise, +sich erheben+.

+und das Luftmeer.+

+umhül´len+; say ‘the whole globe’ (+Kugel+, f.); ‘in’, here +mit+.

In this ocean of air.

Since the four subsequent nouns in this passage represent a whole class, the def. art. is required before each (S. 3, N. 2).

Use this noun in the plural, since the noun with which it is connected by the conj. ‘and’ stands in the same number.

+gleich Krebsen+; to creep, +umher kriechen+. The word ‘whilst’ being a subordinative conj., the verb must be placed?

+Luftmeer+.

Section 37.

THE AIR-OCEAN.

II.

The air-ocean, which everywhere surrounds the earth, and feeds and maintains it, is even more simple, more grand, and more majestic than the ‘world of waters’; more varied and changeful in its moods of storm and calm, of ebb and flow, of brightness and gloom. The atmosphere is, indeed, a wonderful thing, a most perfect example of the economy of nature. Deprived of air, no animal would live, no plant would grow, no flame would burn, no light would be diffused. The air, too, is the sole medium of sound. Without it, mountains might fall, but it would be in perfect silence. Neither whisper nor thunders would ever be heard.—MAURY, PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY OF THE SEA.

Place the adverb before the verb.

+sogar noch.+

+jene mächtige Wasserwelt+, after which put a full stop and begin a new sentence.

This passage may be construed thus: ‘It offers a greater variety (+Mannigfaltigkeit+) and changeableness in the transitions from storm to (+zu+) calm, from ebb to flow, and from light to gloom (+Dunkel+, n.)’. The article (which, if practicable, should be contracted with the preceding preposition) must be used with the last six nouns, see S. 3, N. 2.

+Der Luftkreis ist in der That höchst wunderbar und gewährt ein vollendetes Beispiel von dem haushälterischen Wesen der Natur.+

Without (App. § 14); would = could, Impf. Subj.

+und kein Licht sich verbrei´ten.+

Also (def. art.) sound can only be transmitted (+fort´pflanzen+) through the air.

might = could; to fall, +ein´stürzen+.

Say ‘and yet the prevailing silence would not be interrupted’.

+leises Geflüster+, acc.

+lauten Donner+, acc.