306 OSBORX ON THE SEA OF AZOV. [Feb. 23, 1857. 



trading vessels, which the author observed in the form of knolls, all 

 over the bottom near Taganrog, and in the bights oflf Berdiansk 

 and Mariopol. These knolls form nuclei for fresh alluvial deposits. 



The author also described at some length the winds and currents 

 of this sea. He pointed out the influence of the wiads on the depth 

 of the water, which strong breezes had the efifect of blowing away 

 on the one side and heaping up on the other. The spits afford a 

 shelter against easterly winds, but there is no protection in any 

 part of the sea against the westerly gales. With reference to the 

 currents, the author differs from M. Taitbout de Marigny, who 

 asserts that there is little current in the Sea of Azov. This is 

 maintained to be an error, and the influence of the winds on the 

 motion of the water is regarded as a sufficient indication of the 

 existence of currents, and various examples were given on this 

 point. The rivers also contribute to produce currents from three 

 quarters, viz. the delta of the Don, the Sivash, and the rivers 

 between Taman and Kamisheva. From the entrance of the Gulf of 

 the Don the current passes in three branches : — Ist, along the north 

 coast, as indicated by the direction of the spits, at the rate of a knot 

 or a knot and a half per hour ; 2ndly, through the centre of the sea, 

 on a S.S.W. course, with a velocity of about one knot per hour; 

 and 3rdly, in a direction nearly due south to Kamisheva Point, 

 curving round from thence to the Jelezin Bank, where it connects 

 itself with the outflow from the deltas of the Kuban, Protok, 

 Beysough, and runs out through the straits of Yenikali. 



The physical features of the Spit of Arabat and of the Sivash or 

 Putrid Sea were described from observations made during the late 

 campaign, and the author also dilated upon various topics relating 

 to the surroundiag regions, dwelling considerably upon the im- 

 portance of the Ciscausian Eegion, both geographically and com- 

 mercially, and pointing out that it forms the natural highway to 

 Persia and Northern India from Central Europe. Captain Osbom 

 said that a traveller might yet go from Vienna to Asterabad, vid the 

 Danube, Black Sea, Valley of the Kuban, and Caspian, in a fortnight. 



The Pbesident returned thanks to Captain Sherard Osbom for his commn- 

 nication, so remarkable for the variety of subjects touched upon. It embraced, 

 in fact, the history of the southern regions of Russia. But there were some 

 points connected with the Sea of Azov to which he should like to recall atten- 

 tion. For example, the title of the pai)er was upon the commercial future of 

 the Sea of Azov ; but Captain Osbom had not told them how many hundreds 

 of years would elapse before the whole of the Sea of Azov was filled up. He — 

 the President — ^had been along the northern edge of that sea, and could bear 

 testimony to the fidelity and accuracy which Captain Osbom had displayed 

 in his description as to the great mass of matter brought down the Don, and 

 the way in which it accumulated on one side of the spit and edged round to 



