xciv GENERAL SUMMARY OF SCIENTIFIC AND 



Meyer. The real object of many of the expeditions has been 

 the securing of new or rare species of birds-of-paradise, which 

 are peculiar to this island, and which are eminent for their 

 beauty, bringing enormous prices from fanciers. 



Other explorations among the islands of the Pacific are 

 referred to in a preceding notice of the operations of the 

 U. S. Hydrographic Office and of the Challenger. 



For Asia, we may refer to the labors of the Abbe David 

 in the Yung-Ling Mountains, in the district of Maupin, Chi- 

 na, this gentleman having continued those researches that 

 have heretofore been so prolific in the discovery of new forms 

 of animal life, and his renewed labors having brought to 

 light many interesting forms of mammals and birds, most 

 of them characterized by remarkable peculiarities as com- 

 pared with the known species. Most of these were unfortu- 

 nately lost by being wrecked in carrying them down to the 

 coast. His examination of the River Hang-Kiang, in China, 

 contrary to the former opinion in regard to it, shows that it 

 is an important river of commerce, and traversed by vessels 

 of large size. 



Captain Prigiwolsky, of the Russian service, has also late- 

 ly prosecuted explorations in the same region as that of 

 Abbe David. 



The Russian government has continued its usual work in 

 the way of explorations in Siberia, aud especially in the dis- 

 trict of the Amu Daria, from which important geographical 

 and scientific facts have already been derived. An exam- 

 ination of the Oxus has also been prosecuted. 



The labors of the Geological Survey of India have been 

 continued, and, as usual, been productive of important results 

 both in geology and geography, although it has recently suf- 

 fered a serious loss in the death of Dr. Stolickza, a paleon- 

 tologist and naturalist. 



The hitherto comparatively little-known regions about the 

 sources of the Irrawaddy have been investigated by a party 

 under the direction of the Emperor of Burmah. 



Mr. J. B. Steere has made extended inquiries into the phi- 

 lology and natural history of the island of Formosa, in be- 

 half of the University of Ann Arbor, Michigan. Compliment- 

 ary reference is made by foreign journals to the extent and 

 value of his labors. 



