May 28, I860.] DISCOVERIES OF BURTON AND SPEKE. 175 



is being greatly extended. This increase of production is of great 

 importance, not only to the steam vessels of all nations frequenting 

 the Pacific, but also to the various copper and silver melting estab- 

 lishments in that productive mineral country. 



Brazil, &c. — The railroads now in course of construction from the 

 Atlantic coast into the interior of South America, as at Pemambuco, 

 Bahia, and San Paolo in Brazil, will not only be of benefit to 

 commerce by developing the resources of these vast countries, but 

 also lead to a more accurate and familiar geographical knowledge 

 of them. Our own Captain Sullivan and Captain Page of the United 

 States navy, by their interesting river-exploration have already, as 

 you know, thrown great light on the capabilities of the fertile 

 regions on the western frontier of Brazil as well as of the Argentine 

 provinces. 



Patagonia, — H. M. Minister at the Argentine Confederation has 

 communicated to us letters on maps of Patagonia, by Mr. H. L. 

 Jones, which assist in throwing some light on this unexplored 

 region of the world, 



Ti^rra del Fuego. — Since the Admiralty Survey of this portion of 

 South America by Admiral E. FitzRoy, in 1830-36, little has been 

 done to open out its natural resources. Mr. Parker Snow has 

 partially examined the islands in the vicinity of Cape Horn, and 

 found good harbours with fresh water supply, with easy access to 

 vessels, where they might refit any damage sustained in rounding 

 the Horn. A fresh survey of these parts is much needed, to make 

 known its harbours, develop its resources, and bring its yet savage 

 inhabitants in communication with the civilized world. 



Falkland Islands. — These islands afi'ord many harbours of refuge, 

 as shown by the surveys of FitzEoy, Eobinson, and Sulivan; 

 many parts are fertile and productive. At present Stanley Harbour 

 is the principal Government station, but the missionaries have 

 stations on the western islands.* 



Africa . 



Geographical science has made considerable advance in the 

 African continent since our last Anniversary. The labours of 

 Captains Burton and Speke are published in our Yearly Journal, 



* For other mention of these subjects see Captain Washington's lucid sketch of 

 Admiralty Surveys during the past year ; and for the important records of geo- 

 graphical progress in the United States of America, I must refer to our Medallist, 

 Professor Bache's Coast Surveys, the Journal of the Geographical Society of New 

 York, and other excellent works published in America. 



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