192 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



GEOGRAPHY AXD EVOLUTION.' 



By Lieutenant-General E. STKACHEY, F. K. S. 



IN" accordance with the practice followed for some years past by 

 tlie presidents of the sections of the British Association, I pro- 

 pose, before proceeding with our ordinai'y business, to oiFer for your 

 consideration some observations rehative to the branch of knowledge 

 with which this section is more specially concerned. 



My predecessors in this chair have, in their opening addresses, 

 viewed geography in many various lights. Some have drawn atten- 

 tion to recent geographical discoveries of interest, or to the gradual 

 progress of geographical knowledge over the earth generally, or in 

 particular regions. Others have spoken of the value of geographical 

 knowledge in the ordinary affiiirs of men, or in some of the special 

 branches of those affairs, and of the means of extending such knowl- 

 edge. Other addresses, again, have dwelt on the jDractical influence 

 produced by the geographical features and conditions of the various 

 parts of the earth on the past history and present state of the several 

 sections of the human race, the formation of kingdoms, the growth of 

 industry and commerce, and the spread of civilization. 



The judicious character of that part of our organization which 

 leads to yearly clianges among those who preside over our meetings, 

 and does not attempt authoritatively to prescribe the direction of our 

 discussions, will no doubt be generally recognized. It lias the obvious 

 advantage, among others, of insuring that none of the multifarious 

 claims to attention of the several branches of science shall be made 

 undub/ prominent, and of giving opportunity for viewing the subjects 

 which from time to time come before the Association in fresh aspects 

 by various minds. 



Following, then, a somewhat different path from those who have 

 gone before me in treating of geography, I propose to speak of the 

 physical causes which have impressed on our planet the present out- 

 lines and forms of its surface, have brought about its present condi- 

 tions of climate, and have led to the development and distribution of 

 the living beings found upon it. 



In selecting this subject for my opening remarks, I have been not 

 a little influenced by a consideration of the present state of geographi- 

 cal knowledge, and of the probable future of geographical investiga- 

 tion. It is plain that the field for mere topographical exploration is 

 already greatly limited, and that it is continually becoming more 

 restricted. Although no doubt much remains to be done in obtain- 

 ing detailed maps of large tracts of the earth's surface, yet there is 



' Address of the President of Section E, at the Bristol Meeting of the British As- 

 sociation. 



