| TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 145 
Horn, extending from 40° to 54° of latitude, have very warm winters, although the 
ocean that laves their shores is cold; but the winter rains are heavy and constant. 
- The general conclusion drawn in the paper was, that the British Islands, as well 
as many other countries in cold latitudes, but which have warm winters, have their 
winter climates determined by condensation of vapour. 
On the application of a Decimal Scale to the construction of Maps. 
By W. Hueues, F.R.G.S. 
The writer urged the desirability of using a system of decimal scales, not merely 
in the case of the national surveys undertaken by the governments of different nations, 
but as a principle which might with advantage be adopted in all maps, of whatever 
size, and which would prove especially valuable in those designed for educational 
: purposes. The Ordnance Map of Great Britain contrasts disadvantageously with 
_ the national surveys of other countries, in the fact that, of the different scales used 
from time to time in its construction, no one of the number bears a decimal ratio to 
_ theearth’s quadrant. Inthe case of ordinary maps, where uniformity of scale is un- 
i attainable, the various scales employed might yet always bear a decimal ratio to one 
another. In proof of this, the paper was accompanied by a series of projections, 
such as might be used for the various maps embraced within an ordinary Atlas. 
Thus, supposing Europe to be drawn on a scale of aan Asia and Africa would 
_ be delineated on exactly half that measure, or iat North and South America 
1 1 : 
ona scale of iFipp000: A scale of 500,000 Would correspond to the required 
dimensions for a map of the British Islands, and also for maps of France, Spain, 
Prussia, Austria, Turkey, Italy, &c. Switzerland, Holland, Belgium, Greece, and 
‘ . 1 . . . 
other countries would be on a scale of 55455. The same principle might of course 
> 
_ be adopted in the case of divisional maps, such as the counties of England, for 
example. Thus if the allotted size would allow of Surrey being drawn to a scale of 
amie Lancashire (a larger county) might be on nn of the natural measure, and 
so on. 
The writer pointed out the advantages attendant on the use of such a system, 
in the facility of comparison between different maps, and in the more definite 
character which might be given to the features which the maps drawn on progressive 
scales would embrace. For educational uses especially, the value of attention to 
such points can hardly be over-rated. It is from maps that our ideas of distance 
and magnitude, in respect of geographical objects, are chiefly derived in early life, 
and no after-teaching will counteract the erroneous impressions that are often 
imbibed at that period. Proportionate distances and magnitudes, referred to an 
-easily-comprehended standard, are the basis of all sound geographical knowledge. 
bats . 
On Routes from Lima to the Navigable Branches of the Amazon, with Notes 
on Eastern Peru as a field for Colonization. By Santiaco JACKson. 
: The first part of this paper was on some geographical details of no great interest. 
On the subject of colonization, it was stated that a colony of 200 or 300 Europeans 
4 ous of settling on the eastern slope of the Amazon, ought to arrive at Lima in 
April or May, and have a depot of food provided at their destination beforehand, 
enough to last about four months, at the end of which time they would be able to 
live on the produce of their fields. Neglect of this precaution has caused the failure 
of several attempts at colonization, for the natives cannot supply any unexpected 
emand. 
_ The resources of the Amazon territory are unsurpassed in the world. It will 
uce any quantity of sugar, coffee, tobacco, indigo, cochineal, rice, and cotton. 
latter is better than any grown in the United States, except the Sea Island. 
chona bark, dye-woods of various kinds, india rubber, and gutta percha have 
Bee Cedar trees of enormous size abound ; but the forests are encum- 
hoo 7. 10 
