1869.] Geography. 611 



Island and British Columbia," by Dr. King ; " On the Esquimaux 

 considered in their relationship to Man's Antiquity," by Capt. W. S. 

 Hall ; " On Human Eemains in the Gravels of Leicestershire," by 

 Mr. Francis Drake, F.G.S. ; " On the Method of forming Fliat 

 Flakes by the early Inhabitants of Devonshire," by Mr. F. M. Hall • 

 " On the Frontier Line of Ethnology and Geology," by Mr. H. h! 

 Howarth ; " On the Brain of a Negro," by Mr. E. Garner ; and 

 " On the Eace Elements of the Irish People," by Mr. G. H. Kinahan. 



Geography. (Section E.) 



Ethnology having this year been transferred to Section D, 

 Section E was devoted exclusively to Geography. The meetings 

 were held in the new Victoria Hall, and were presided over by Sir 

 Bartle Frere, who, as Sir Andrew Waugh said during a discussion 

 on one of the papers, proved his capacity not only to govern a great 

 empire, but also to worthily fill Sir Eoderick Murchison's chair. 

 Though the Ethnological papers and discussions did not offer the 

 attractions which had marked the proceedings of previous years, 

 though the veteran President of the Eoyal Geographical Society 

 was not present to add to its p-estige, and though there were no 

 Bakers, nor Palgraves, nor Livingstones present to give it addi- 

 tional eclat, the Section yet maintained its usual popularity, and 

 was daily attended by a large and attentive audience. Papers were 

 read by both English and foreign geographers, whose renown is 

 more than European ; and the discussions were often carried on by 

 men distinguished not less for their statesmanship than for their 

 scientific accomplishments. The papers were generally jjurely 

 geographical ; they were not merely descriptive, but frequently 

 partook of a truly scientific character. Now and then, however, 

 the pohtical element could not be altogether repressed, and on 

 these occasions the discussions turned on questions which are 

 regarded by the general public with more than ordinary interest. 



Though Sir Bartle Frere, in his opening address, disclaimed the 

 intention " to attempt any systematic summary of the progress, 

 present state, or prospects of Geographical science generally," he yet 

 showed what was being done by geographers in all parts of the 

 world, but dwelt, as might be expected, more on Asia than on any 

 other continent. After referring with satisfaction to the presence 

 at the meeting of more than one geographer who would represent 

 that vast Eussian empire which is gradually extending its borders 

 in Central Asia, Sir Bartle pointed out that this magnificent region 

 is httle changed, save in pohtical condition, since it was a nursery 

 of great nations and a centre of civilization. " Here were nurtured," 



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