ALPS, besides its proper signification, by which it denotes a certain chain of mountains which separate Italy from France and Germany, is frequently used as an appellative to denote any mountains of extraordinary height or extensive range. In this sense, Ausonius and others called the Pyrenean Mountains Alps, and Gellius the Spanish Alps, Alpini Hispani. Hence also we say, the British Alps, meaning the Grampians, &c., the Asiatic Alps, meaning the Altaic chain, &c.; the American Alps, meaning the Andes, &c.