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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 57

New Books

page 257

New Books.

Europe.

Europäische Gradmessung.—Das Schweizerische Dreieck netz herausgegeben von der Schweizerischen geodätischen Commission. Zweiter Band. Commission von S. Hühr, 1885.

The various items included in the present volume are:—1. A connection established between the new triangulation and the former base lines of Aarberg (Bern), Weinfelden (Zurich), and Bellinzona (Ticino). 2. A valuation of errors and their limits in the mensuration of the angles and the sides of triangles. 3. The connection of the new network of triangles with the points determined by independent observations, namely, Geneva, Neuchâtel, Bern, Zurich, the Weissen stein above Soleure, the stations on the Rigi, the Gæbris, and the Simplon. 4. The connection with the outward signals on foreign territory, the Feldberg in the Black Forest, the castle of Hohentwiel in Swabia, the Hersberg beyond the Lake of Constance, the Pfænder in the Vorarlberg, the Trélod in Savoy and the Colombier in the French Jura.

The primary triangles are 41 in number, and the primary stations 29, besides minor ones in the neighbourhood of the astronomical observatories.

The heights of some of them are as follows:—The Simplon, 6565 feet; Grieserhorn, 9022; Wasenhorn, 10,722; Schienhorn, 8662; Faulhorn, 9000; Mattwaldhorn, 10,729; Zurich Observatory, 1611; Neuchâtel Observatory, 1608; Berne Observatory, 1860, on 5° 6′ 9″ long. E. of Paris; Hasenberg, 2575; Baldenburg, 2667; Geneva Observatory, 1342; the Voirons, 4866; the Piton of Saléve, south of Geneva, 4524, on 3° 48′ 2″ long. E. of Paris.

Those stations are not always chosen on account of their absolute height, but for peculiar accidents of direction for the pointing of instruments. Besides a general map of the primary triangulation, there are 31 maps giving the details of the site of some of the stations.—[Paul Chaix.]

Neumann, [Dr.] C., and Partsch, [Dr.] J.—Physikalische Geographie von Griechenland., mit besondere Rücksicht auf das Alterthum. Breslau, W. Kölner: 1885, 8vo. and pp. xii. 476.

This is one of those special geographical works that are only possible in a country in which geography is recognised, encouraged, and endowed in the schools and universities as a branch of research on a footing of equality with other branches of science. Dr. Neumann formerly held the chair of geography in Breslau, which is now ably filled by Dr. Partsch. Those familiar with recent German geographical literature will be able to recall not a few works of a class similar to the present. In this country there is no encouragement to the production of such works.

The present work is based on the idea, hitherto very inadequately worked out, that the natural characteristics of a country are an important factor in the development of its civilisation. This, the authors think, was especially the case with those lands which were the scene of what is usually known as ancient history. In earlier antiquity the trade relations of the various peoples were so meagre that the physical conditions of their dwelling-place were predominant. Greece, the authors seek to show in their introduction, possessed the leading conditions for the rapid and many-sided development of a young civilisation:—the necessity and possibility of effort on the part of men to improve their surroundings; multiplicity of forms in surrounding nature; opportunity for active commercial intercourse. The authors then proceed to describe in detail the climate of Greece, pointing out that in antiquity the position of a country was of less importance for its development than at the present day. The heat, moisture, atmospheric pressure and movements in various parts of Greece are considered, and tables given. Chapter II. deals with the leading conditions of land and sea, and Chapter III. enters into details as to the relief of the land in the various divisions of ancient Greece. In Chapter IV. the geology of the country is treated with considerable minuteness; while Chapter V. deals with the vegetation on much the same scale.

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Asia.

Bird, Isabella L.—Unbeaten Tracks in Japan. An account of Travels in the Interior, including visits to the Aborigines of Yezo, and the Shrine of Nikkô. New edition, abridged. London, John Murray: 1885, cr. 8vo., pp. xxiv. and 336, illustrations. Price 7s. 6d.

A new and popular edition of Miss Bird's former work, published in 1880, and noticed in the 'Proceedings' for the same year at p. 780.

Africa.

Ellis, A. B.—West African Islands. London, Chapman & Hall: 1885, 8vo., pp. viii. and 352. Price 14s.

Compiled from notes taken, during visits to the principal islands lying off the West Coast of Africa, between the years 1871 and 1882. The islands separately treated of are:—St. Helena, Ascension, Fernando Po, the Isles de Los, St. Vincent, San Antonio, Goree, Grand Canary, Teneriffe, and Madeira. The Bissagos Islands, Ilha do Principe, S. Thome, and Annobon are not referred to.

Thomson, Joseph.—Through Masai Land: a Journey of Exploration among the Snow-clad Volcanic Mountains and Strange Tribes of Eastern Equatorial Africa. Being the Narrative of the Royal Geographical Society's Expedition, to Mount Kenia and Lake Victoria Nyanza, 1883-84. By Joseph Thomson, F.R.G.S., Leader of the Expedition. Illustrations and maps. London, Sampson Low & Co.: 1885, pp. xii. and 583. Price 21s.

Those of our readers who were fortunate enough to listen to Mr. Thomson's well-told story at the opening meeting of the Society last November, and those who have only been able to read it in the pages of the 'Proceedings,' will have had their appetites whetted for the abundant and varied feast provided in the handsome volume before us. With regard to the interest and scientific value of the work, we can only echo the chorus of praise with which it has been received by the Press. Mr. Thomson's bright and attractive style is well known to the readers of his previous narrative; his unfailing good-humour, buoyant spirits, keen appreciation of the ludicrous, graphic and glowing descriptions of scenery, and sympathetic portraiture of people, are qualities which in our estimation adorn the solid scientific groundwork of his narrative. The Society intrusted Mr. Thomson with the accomplishment of a briefly but clearly defined mission:—"The ascertaining of a practicable direct route for European travellers west through the Masai country from any of the East African ports to Victoria Nyanza, and to examine Mount Kenia; to gather data for constructing as complete a map as possible in a preliminary survey; and to make all practicable observations regarding the meteorology, geology, natural history, and ethnology of the regions traversed." How conscientiously and completely Mr. Thomson has carried out his mission is known to our readers, and is evident in every page of the volume before us. His trials and sufferings were many and severe. His own men were as bad a lot as ever left the coast; but he brought them back physically and morally regenerated. One less brave or less humane and patient than he might have been tempted over and over again either to flight or violence in the face of the stalwart, warlike, ever irritating Masai. Putrid meat was his food for weeks, and so dysentery laid him low for a couple of months, and nothing but his indomitable spirit and his strong sense of the ludicrous even with death staring him in the face, prevented him from succumbing entirely. Nothing whatever could provoke Mr. Thomson to risk his success in doing what he undertook to do for the Society, which has every reason to be satisfied with its young pioneer.

It is unnecessary here to go over the ground again with which the readers of these pages must be familiar. It would probably be hard to say whether Mr. Thomson has established that a practicable direct route exists from the east coast to Victoria Nyanza through the Masai country. He certainly succeeded, by infinite tact and long-suffering, in making it practicable for page 259 himself and his men; but we suspect it will take some time before the Masai can be persuaded to permit a regular route to be opened through their country. Doubtless it will be easier for Mr. Thomson's successors than it was for himself, if they are endowed with a fair share of his tact. So far as is known he is the first white man that has succeeded in penetrating Masai-land. Rebmann, Krapf, New, Wakefield, and Yon der Decken succeeded in reaching the border of the region which Mr. Thomson has explored, and Kilima-njaro, even before Mr. Johnston's visit, had been ascended to the snow-line. Krapf, we know, got as far north as Ketui, and even reached the Tana, but that was far east of Mr. Thomson's route, and out of the country of the Masai altogether. It was then he got a glimpse of snowy Kenia, though Mr. Thomson shows that he made a curious mistake as to its direction and configuration. Wakefield indeed, as will be seen from Ravenstein's map, collected much information as to routes and features from native travellers, and some of this informaiion Mr. Thomson has proved to be wonderfully correct. But it was always recognised as dangerous by caravans to traverse the Masai country, and these never returned without leaving not a few of their numbers behind them. Dr. Fischer, just previous to Mr. Thomson, had to beat a precipitate retreat when only halfway between Kilima-njaro and Lake Baringo. The country is likely to be sought after by hunters of big game, for probably no region on the continent, Mr. Thomson shows, is richer in this respect. Some parts of the route were certainly desert and waterless enough. There are two such stretches between the coast and Kilima-njaro, and at least one great waterless desert between Kilima-njaro and Lake Naivasha. Much of the region, however, especially in the north, about the Aberdare range, is rich in rivers, beautiful and romantic in aspect, bracing and healthy, and abounding in splendid pasture. Events are moving so rapidly in Africa that ere very long we may expect to find this magnificent country—guarded north and south by its alpine peaks, with some of the finest features of its explorer's native land between, becoming the sanatorium and tourist resort of the budding states of Central Africa.

From the geographical point of view, Mr. Thomson's chief task was to gather data for constructing as complete a map as possible in a preliminary survey. How very thoroughly, under the most trying circumstances, he carried out the duty is evident both from his book and his map. Compare the latter with the section of Mr. Ravenstein's map which includes this region, and it will at once be seen how materially the Society's latest expedition has contributed to a knowledge of African geography. At the same time it will become evident that the data collected by Wakefield and others from the native traders who had ventured into those parts, are fairly accurate. But when Mr. Ravenstein revises the sheet he will have much work to do to bring it up to date. True, with Mr. Thomson as with other pioneer explorers, only the general features along his route and for a little distance on each side could be roughly mapped; still his map is wonderfully precise. Of course we are here on the central tableland, but in this particular region that tableland is strongly accentuated. On the north especially, we have some fine ranges of mountains, marked by the loveliest valleys and glens. Broken groups of hills, rising into many peaks, are found along the whole route. On the west a steep escarpment runs nearly the whole distance, and in the further north a few peaks that almost rival Kilima-njaro and Kenia themselves. Great forest regions and grassy plains, beautiful lakes, fine waterfalls, rapid rivers, gleaming lakelets, are some of the features which render this remarkable region attractive. But Mr. Thomson is more than a topographer. As we know, geology is his speciality, and he knows how to observe intelligently both in zoology and botany. To the geologist the country is one of the highest interest. Much of it is evidently in the last stage of volcanic activity. The centre of the region, it may be said, belongs either to the earlier or later volcanic series, and is marked by a great plain of depression. Both Kilima-njaro and Kenia belong to the later volcanic series, and both show that in no very remote period they must have been the scenes of stupendous activity. Indeed Kenia does not seem quite cooled down yet, and the people of Chaga have a tradition that the crater lake of Chaga occupies the site of a former town. Broad belts of metamorphic rocks flank the central area on each side, while on the east, between the metamorphic and the lowest tertiaries is a wide strip of page 260 carboniferous. Of course these indications must be regarded as of the most general character, and to a large extent conjectural; at the same time it should be remembered that Mr. Thomson knows how to read the rocks. In some respects the zoology and botany are as wonderful as the scenery.

No region in Africa, probably, so abounds in game; and Mr. Thomson's sporting adventures add excitement to his narrative, and are sure to draw mighty hunters to this region. In some respects the botany is very remarkable; at one time recalling the vegetation of the Cape and at another reminding Mr. Thomson of the pine forests and heath-clad mountains of bonny Scotland. But what interested the explorer most were the Masai themselves. Magnificent savages they seem to be from his account, unlike any African people he has seen or heard of. That they have close affinities with the Gallas there seems little doubt; their own traditions indicate that they are migrants from Galla-land into their present home, where they have had much hard fighting to maintain their place. Still they are evidently mixed to some extent with other tribes of different types from the Gallas; for here we are at the meeting-place of the three great stocks into which the bulk of the natives of Africa are divided. For the many interesting details as to the fine physique, fighting qualities, curious social organisation, customs, dress, and occupations of the Masai we must refer the reader to the book itself. They are in brief cattle-stealers and cattle-rearers, the unmarried men as a rule taking the former role and the Benedicks the latter. Mr. Thomson frequently (perhaps too often) alludes to the strange part which expectoration plays in Masai intercourse. Mr. Thomson's powers in this respect were often greatly tried when he wanted to be particularly gracious, and he was occasionally compelled to resort to the custom which prevails in some parts of New Guinea. There, a recent Dutch traveller tells us, it is the custom to welcome a friendly stranger by squirting upon him a shower of water from the mouth. Is it not also the custom in certain parts of Africa for courtiers to preserve the salival discharge from the chiefs mouth? No doubt the Masai custom is a survival from a custom which had some sort of rational origin and which it would be of some interest to trace.

It will be evident from these few notes that Mr. Thomson has a completely satisfactory account to render of the manner in which he has performed the mission intrusted to him by the Society—more than was expected of him—and will doubtless be honoured as he deserves. Notwithstanding the unsatisfactory condition of his health, as a result of his Masai-land exploration, he has accepted and is actually employed on a mission of great commercial as well as geographical importance in West Africa; and we trust that in the future his exceptional faculty for successful work in Africa will find satisfactory occupation. We ought to say that his book abounds in instructive, attractive, and well-executed illustrations.

America.

Weise, Arthur James.—The Discoveries of America to the year 1525. London, Richard Bentley and Son: 1884,8vo., pp. xii. and 380, plates and maps. Price 15s.

This work contains a summary of the various, statements of historical writers concerning the voyages of the persons whom they believed to have been the discoverers of certain parts of the coast of America between Baffin's Bay and Tierra del Fuego, numerous extracts from old and rare books being given either in the language of the writers, or in faithful translations, so that the intended significance of the information can be perceived, and impartial conclusions formed. The bulk of the volume is marked by laborious research and discriminating criticism, but the first chapter, which deals with pre-historic times, including the early voyages of the Northmen, is likely to find scant favour with classical scholars, as the author boldly propounds, as an accepted truth, the theory that the circumstantial account of Atlantis given by Plato in his "Critias" was founded on genuine historical tradition. He gives a literal translation of a large part of the "Critias," which he seems to find no difficulty in accepting as history, and he is evidently disposed to see in the account of the peopling of the continent by the descendants of Cleito and Poseidon, an actual tradition of the unions between the sons of God and the daughters of page 261 men as related in Genesis. Considering the startling apparent confirmation which Plato's description of the lost Atlantic island received from the discoveries of the Spaniards, and from the wonderful vestiges of an antique American civilisation which yet remain, it is not surprising that some persons should have been led to the conclusion that the philosopher actually had the authority of Egyptian tradition for his remarkable statements. Such speculations, however, are rather out of place in the work of a sober-minded historian. With regard to the Sagas, Mr. Weise is not so easily satisfied, and he considers that no geographical information contained in them verifies the assertion that the Northmen discovered America, and explored the coast of a part of the present territory of the United States. He agrees with Mr. Haliburton* that the site of Vinland the Good is nearer Greenland than Rhode Island, and is of opinion that "as there is no reliable information to indicate that the Northmen of the tenth century had any instruments by which they could accurately measure the changing spaces of day and night, or that their observations of the sun gave them the knowledge of astronomical time, an attempt to elucidate the exact duration of the shortest day in Vinland from the vague signification of the words eyktar-stad and dagmála-stad would consequently be futile and unsatisfactory."

The second chapter embraces the period between 1295 and 1487, including an outline of the story of Marco Polo, and a sketch of the life of Prince Henry of Portugal, and the remainder of the volume is devoted to the achievements of Columbus, and the numerous voyages of discovery to which they gave rise; but as this is all more or less solid ground, it is only necessary to add that Mr. Weise has succeeded in bringing together a large amount of useful information, some of it not easily accessible elsewhere, and as it is enriched by copious footnotes, the whole may be regarded either as a valuable work of reference, or an introduction to more extended study.

Besides "a representation of the astrolabe found in 1867 in the county of North Renfrew, province of Ontario, Canada, supposed to have been lost by Champlain on his way to Ottawa in 1613," and two small charts showing the field of voyages to America, the text is illustrated by the following twelve copies of rare maps, viz.—I. Delineation of the Hyperborean Regions by Sigurd Stephanius in 1570. II. A part of the map of the New World contained in the edition of Ptolemy's Geography printed in Strasburg in 1513. III. A part of the Cabot-map of 1544 in the Bibliothèque Nationale, Paris. IV. Map of the New World contained in Peter Martyr's "Legatio Babylonica," printed in 1511. V. A tracing representing the limits of the discoveries of Juan Ponce de Leon and Francisco de Garay, 1521. VI. A part of the map of the fourth part of the world contained in the Cosmographie Universelle by André Thevet, printed in Paris in 1575. VII. Map of Terre de la Franciscane in the Cosmography of Jean Alphonse and Raulin Secalart, 1545. VIII. Map of a part of North America made by Giacomo de Gastaldi in 1553. IX. A part of the map of the world made by Gerard Mercator in Duisburg in 1569. X. A part of the map of the world made by Juan de la Cosa in 1500 (cover-pocket). XI. A part of the map of the world made by Johann Ruysch, contained in the edition of Ptolemy's Geography printed in Rome in 1508 (cover-pocket). XII. A part of the map of the world made by Visconte de Maiollo in 1527 (cover-pocket).

Arctic.

Melville, George W.—In the Lena Delta. A Narrative of the Search for Lieut.-Commander De Long and his companions, followed by an Account of the Greely Relief Expedition, and a proposed method of reaching the North Pole. Edited by Melville Philips. London, Longmans, Green, & Co.: 1885, 8vo., pp. xiii. and 497, maps and illustrations. Price 14s.

The first four chapters of this book are devoted to the voyage and drift of the Jeannette, and the retreat of her crew, up to the separation of the three boat page 262 in the fatal gale of September 12, 1881, and the next twenty-four contain a popular account of the landing of the whaleboat and the subsequent searches for the crews of the first and second cutters, the official account of which was noticed in our 'Proceedings' for April 1883, p. 241. The present work, therefore, calls for no special mention, beyond observing that the detailed account given of the exploits in the Lena Delta in which Chief-Engineer Melville was the prime mover and central figure, enable us to realise more fully than ever the nature of his heroic efforts, and clearly shows that he did all that a brave and steadfast man could do to find and rescue his missing shipmates.

Undaunted by his previous Arctic experiences, Mr. Melville sailed again last May in the Thetis to the relief of Lieutenant Greely, and a brief sketch of the object and results of the Lady Franklin Bay Expedition, and of the measures which led to the rescue of the leader and five members of his party, is given as forming "an appropriate epilogue to the tragic tale of the Jeannette." The details which have already appeared in American newspapers regarding this expedition, as well as the paper read by Lieutenant Greely himself at the Montreal meeting of the British Association, have also been noticed in our 'Proceedings,' vol. vi., pp. 465, 537, 679, &c., and as the official account may be shortly expected, it would be superfluous to discuss the particulars now given by Mr. Melville.

The concluding chapter of the volume contains the author's proposed method for reaching the North Pole by the Franz-Josef Land route, which he is anxious to test personally; and the Appendix includes a description of the Melville sledge, and some notes on the equipment and provisioning of Arctic expeditions, with illustrations.

The book is illustrated by a portrait of the author, and numerous wood engravings, and a chart of the Lena Delta shows all the localities mentioned in the text, as well as the routes taken by De Long and Melville after landing, and the routes of the search parties. There is also a map showing the course and drift of the Jeannette from the Vega's winter quarters to the position where she went down, and the subsequent route of her crew over the ice; also a map of the channels north of Baffin's Bay showing the line of Lieutenant Greely's retreat from Lady Franklin Bay, the Neptune's highest point in 1882, &c., and a circumpolar map showing Mr. Melville's proposed route to the Pole, the probable drift of the Jeannette if she had not sunk, and the highest points reached by different navigators.

Nordenskjöld, Adolf Erik [Freiherr von].—Studien und Forschungen veranlasst durch meine Reisen im hohen Norden. Herausgegeben von Adolf Erik Freiherrn von Nordenskjöld. Ein populär-wissenschaftliches Supplement zu Die Umsegelung Asiens und Europas auf der Vega. Autorisirte Deutsche Ausgabe. Mit über 200 Abbildungen, 8 Tafeln und Karten. Leipzig, Brockhaus; London, Dulau: 1885, 8vo., pp. ix. and 521.

The seven memoirs which make up this volume were originally intended to form part of Baron Nordenskjöld's account of his circumnavigation of Europe and Asia in the Vega. It will be remembered that in that work the Baron introduced several special chapters of much scientific value, on the progress of exploration in the seas north of Europe and Asia, on the Arctic fauna, and other subjects; and he has been well-advised to publish the present volume as a separate work, though supplementary to the previous one. We believe that several of these papers have, at least in part, appeared in the Transactions of the Swedish Academy, and been abstracted in English scientific journals. The first of the memoirs will probably be already familiar to our readers; it is by Baron Nordenskjöld himself, dealing with the voyages of the brothers Zeni, and was noticed in its original Swedish form in the 'Proceedings,' 1883, p. 372. The second paper, by Professor Wittrock, is on Snow and Ice Flora, with special reference to the Arctic regions, with an appendix on Snow and Ice Fauna. The third paper, by Baron Nordenskjöld himself, deals in considerable detail with his hypothesis, which has been so much criticised, as to the fall of cosmical matter on the earth, with special reference to the Kant-Laplace theory. The Baron aims to prove, from the results of his own observations and those of other page 263 geologists, from a comparison of the mineralogical and chemical composition of rocks, and other data, that besides the myriads of meteors that have fallen upon the surface of our globe, a continuous dust-cloud is depositing its contents to an appreciable thickness annually. Hence, he contends that at least a large part of the volume of the earth is of meteoric origin. Whatever may be thought of the value of the theory, the wealth of data adduced by the writer, and the interesting maps and illustrations form a valuable contribution to geological and geographical science. The next paper is by Dr. Nathorst, and points out in detail the contributions made by Arctic exploration to a knowledge of the botanical geography of early geological times. Dr. Hans Hildebrand devotes nearly 100 pages to a memoir of much ethnological interest on the knowledge of art possessed by uncivilised peoples. Here the researches of the Vega staff among the Chukches during their year's detention on the Siberian coast, prove of great service. Some of the artistic efforts of this interesting people have already been given in the 'Voyage of the Vega.' Next Dr. Christopher Aurivillius devotes about fifty pages to the Insect Life of Arctic lands; while the concluding paper, of about eighty pages, by Dr. Kjellman, deals in the same way with Arctic Plant Life. The many woodcuts, coloured plates and maps, add greatly to the scientific value of this varied volume.

Australasia.

[Australia.]—The Australian Handbook (incorporating New Zealand, Fiji, and New Guinea) and Shippers' and Importers' Directory for 1885. London, Gordon & Gotch; 8vo., pp. 728. Price 10s. 6d.

This useful publication reaches its sixteenth annual issue with the present volume. It contains a vast amount of information, up to date, relative to the Australasian Colonies, including the Discovery, Settlement, Geography, Climate, Products and Resources, and Statistics of each. It also contains an account of the Colony of Fiji and of New Guinea; as also a Gazetteer of the principal towns in Australia and New Zealand, &c. The work is profusely illustrated with maps which have been enlarged and prepared from the best sources.

General.

[Challenger.']—Report on the Scientific Results of the Voyage of H.M.S. Challenger during the years 1873-76, under the command of Captain George S. Nares, R.N., F.B.S., and Captain Frank Tourle Thomson, R.N. Prepared under the superintendence of the late Sir C. Wyville Thomson, Knt., F.R.S., &c., and now of John Murray. Zoology, vols. x. and xi. London, Longmans & Co., &c.: 1884, 4to., pp. (vol. x.) viii., 154, 82, 47,130, xxiv., and 216, chart and plates; (vol. xi.) viii., 88, x., 442, and 85, plates. Price respectively, 50s.

The previous volumes of the series are noticed in the preceding volume of the 'Proceedings' at pp. 485 and 610.

Vol. x. contains:—i. Report on the Nudibranchiata collected by H.M.S. Challenger during the years 1873-76, by Dr. Rudolph Bergh. ii. Report on the Myzostomida collected during the same period, by Dr. L. von Graff. iii. Report on the Cirripedia collected by H.M.S. Challenger, ditto; anatomical part by Dr. P. P. C. Hoek. iv. Report on the Human Skeletons collected during ditto. The Crania, by William Turner, M.B., &c. v. Report on the Polyzoa collected by H.M.S. Challenger, during ditto. The Cheilostomata. By George Busk, F.R.S., &c.

Vol. xi. contains:—i. Report on the Keratosa collected by H.M.S. Challenger, during ditto, by N. Poléjaeff, M.A. ii. Report on the Crinoidea collected during ditto. The Stalked Crinoids. By P. Herbert Carpenter, D.Sc. iii. Report on the Isopoda collected by H.M.S. Challenger, ditto. The Genus Serolis. By Frank Evers Beddard, M.A., &C.

page 264

The Scottish Geographical Magazine. Edinburgh, Macnamara & Wallace; London, Philip & Son.

We welcome the first number of the organ of the Scottish Geographical Society. It covers a period of three months, and as its purview embraces to some extent the past year, it is exceedingly full and varied. The number begins, of course, with Mr. Stanley's opening address on Central Africa and the Congo Basin. Then follow two papers with a distinctly local flavour: one on Scotland and geographical work, showing what Scotchmen have done in the various departments of our branch of knowledge; the other is a paper of original value by Professor James Geikie on the Physical Features of Scotland; both the paper and the accompanying map deserve the attention of geographers and geologists. We have then short notices of the first honorary members of the Society, the King of the Belgians, Lord Aberdare, Mr. Stanley, and Mr. Joseph Thomson. The most useful feature of the magazine is the Geographical Notes, which are of the most varied kind; they occupy fifteen pages. Five pages are devoted to the geographical literature of 1884, and about twelve pages to new books and new maps. Besides the map of Scotland, there is a map of Africa, both by Bartholomew.

Wagner, Hermann.—Geographisches Jahrbuch. X. Band, 1884. Erste Hälfte. Unter Mitwirkung von O. Drude, G. Gerland, J. Hann, Th. V. Oppolzer, L. K. Schmarda, K. Zöppritz, herausgegeben von Hermann Wagner. Gotha, Justus Perthes: 1885. Price, two parts, 12s.

Since the last issue of this invaluable publication, its founder and joint editor, Dr. Behm, has died. With the present volume the work enters on a new phase. This is really only a half-volume, the other half being promised in the course of the present year. Henceforth it will be issued annually, the first and second parts in alternate years. In the present part we have the special division, which includes reports of progress in the various departments of science which bear on geography. Professor Zöppitz deals with Geophysics, Dr. Hann with Meteorology, Dr. Oppolzer with European Survey Operations, Dr. O. Drude with Botanical Geography, Dr. Schmarda with the Geographical Distribution of Animals, and Dr. Gerland with Ethnological Research.

* See 'A Search in British North America for Lost Colonics of Northmen and Por-tuguese,' ante, pp. 25-32.