572 SCIENTIFIC RECORD FOR 1885. 



source of the four principal rivers of the colony, the Whangjanui, Wai- 

 kato, Whangaehu, and Manganui-a-te-Ao, were traced; the hydrog- 

 raphy of Lake Taupo in relation to the four distinct watersheds flow- 

 ing into it was examined; the volcano of Mount Tongariro (9,300 feet) 

 and Mount Euapehu (9,000 feet), the highest peaks of the North Island, 

 were ascended. 



A Dutch expedition to ITew Guinea is being organized. The Govern- 

 ment has promised a grant not exceeding 10,000 florins a year, and con- 

 sequently the expedition is to be confined to geographical investiga- 

 tions. It will probably go to Dorch or to Onin. 



Dr. Otto Finsch reports as some of the results of his work in German 

 Kew Guinea that he traversed the north coast for a distance of 1,000 

 English miles, from East Cape to 141° east longitude (Greenwich). Sev- 

 eral good harbors were discovered, and continuous meteorological and 

 sounding observations made. A large river was discovered, which the 

 doctor named after the Empress Augusta ; its course was followed for 

 30 English miles into the interior. There is evidence of the existence 

 of many other rivers. The German Emperor has ordained that the 

 harbor shall henceforth be known as "Friedrich Wilhelm's Hafen," and 

 the bay near it "Prince Heinrich's Hafen"; the large navigable river 

 east of Cape de la Torre as the " Kaiserin Augusta Fluss"; while Beaupr^, 

 situated in the middle of the peninsula, will now be called " Varzin." 

 " Neu Mecklenburg " will be substituted for New Ireland ; "Neu Laueu- 

 burg" for the Duke of York group, and " Neu Pommern" for New Brit- 

 ain, the largest island of the Bismarck Archipelago. 



Dr. P. L. Sclater suggests " Torresia " as an appropriate name for 

 British New Guinea. 



The Geographical Society of Australia has completed arrangements 

 for the exploration of New Guinea, and a fully-equipped expedition 

 has started under the leadership of Capt. Henry Charles Everill. The 

 rumored massacre of the entire party is discredited by the British resi- 

 dent on Thursday Island. 



Mr. H. O. Forbes is now engaged in the same field. He has accepted 

 a contribution of £500 from the above-named society, with the condi- 

 tion that he gives it a full report of his journey, and second sets of col- 

 lections. After various mishaps the expedition arrived safely at Port 

 Moresby (see Proceedings Eoyal Geographical Society December), in 

 company with Sir Peter Scratchley, early in September, and made 

 immediate arrangements to start for the interior in company with the 

 Eev. Mr. Chalmers. Mr. Forbes is going to attempt to reach the summit 

 of Mount Owen Stanley, 13,205 feet high, and hitherto untrodden by 

 the foot of man. 



The Geographical Society of Hamburg has published a memorandum 

 showing the territorial extent of the recent German annexations in the 

 Pacific Ocean. Reduced to English measurements, the German esti- 

 mates are as follows: Kaiser Wilhemsland (German New Guinea), 



