416 THE PRESENT STANDPOINT OF GEOGRAPHY. 



field have introduced uew methods of computing' luuars, and ai method 

 of semiazimuths, invented by a yachtsman, is now under discussion. 

 Dr. Schlichter has recommended the use of an apparatus for photo- 

 graphing moon and stars for hinars which is described in the Novem- 

 ber number of our Jo«>-iirt/, and Col. IStewart invented another aj^jia- 

 ratus for surveying by photography. Improvements are sure to sug- 

 gest themselves to intelligent workers. Maj. Watkin has improved on 

 the aneroid. Several attempts have been made to improve the arti- 

 ficial horizon. Maj. Verner has invented a compass to be used for 

 travelling at night. 



Photography now occupies an imi)ortant place in relation to- geog- 

 raphy, and a photographic camera should form part of the equipment 

 of all exi)lorers engaged in original geographical work. It is to be 

 regretted that travellers have not taken more advantage of the facilities 

 afforded by the society, as the use of an instrument should be thor- 

 oughly mastered before a traveller i)roceeds on a journey. In pho- 

 tometry it is necessary that objects represented on the plate should be 

 clear and well-defined to facilitate the taking of measurements from 

 them; and this has now become specially important since the invention 

 of the new method of taking lunars. 



It is in the direction of the improvement of instruments, cameras, 

 and other appliances used by the traveller, and of methods of observing 

 and computing, that experienced and ingenious men should continue 

 to turn their inventive faculties. Very often an Improvement occurs 

 to an (jbservei while using an instrument in the field, which after- 

 wards, by following up the train of thought, leads to the perfection of 

 a practically useful invention. This has been the case from the days 

 of Martin Behaim to those of Leigh Smith. 



Many of the rising generation of geographers, whose talents lie in 

 that direction, Avill also, it is to be hoped, master the beautiful and 

 most useful art of the cartographer, including the work of the compiler 

 and of the draftsman. At present there are none too many in this 

 country. When we reflect on the exquisite specimens of Italian and 

 Catalan portolani which are preserved in the British Museum, and on 

 the great geographical interest attaching to early examples of cartog- 

 raphy, it is impossible not to regret that we are unable to produce an 

 atlas such as the Berlin Geographical Society brought out last year. 

 There are as yet no adequate opportunities in this country for devel- 

 oping the latent powers of the potential Kretschmers who doubtless 

 exist among our young English geographers, but I trust that every 

 encouragement will be given to those who, in the future, give their 

 attention to this branch of our work. 



Turning once more to the qualifications of an explorer, Mr. Galton 

 has suggested to me that the art of geographical description is a very 

 needful one. It is seldom that a country resembles what the visitor 

 has been led to expect from reading recent descriptions of it. It is not 



