in store no new surprise for the biologist? Can the geologist explain intricate 
hill systems, or tell the formation of high mountain ranges and vast plains that 
occur throughout the length and breadth of the land ? 
No. All these questions must be answered in the negative. Much useful 
knowledge has been brought to light by many and eminent explorers; much 
has been done, much remains to do; and this, too, in almost every branch of 
human knowledge. A reliable map is useful to the explorer; a complete and 
accurate survey indispensable to the geographer; and yet at the present time 
vast areas remain still unmapped, whilst a large proportion of the maps in use 
are misleading in their detail. The naturalist needs good collections of 
animals from all parts, in order that he may form a comprehensive idea of the 
spread of species in Eastern Asia, and of their relationship to the creatures of 
the surrounding islands. The enormous mineral resources of the country are 
only now beginning to be realised in the West, and great financial schemes— 
depending for their successful development on an increased knowledge of 
potential markets—all tend to augment the clamour for full and trustworthy 
information. And thus it came about that the expedition, of which this book 
gives the account, was undertaken in the hope of rendering some service to 
the Western world by increasing—be it only by a fraction—the knowledge of 
China and things Chinese. 
The expedition, organised and financed by Mr. Robert Sterling Clark, of 
New York, should start, it was proposed, in the autum of 1908, from T’ai-yiian 
Fu in Shansi, and after traversing Shén-kan (7.¢., the provinces of Shensi and 
Kansu), skirt the Tibetan border to Ch’éng-tu Fu, in Sstich’uan; then descend- 
ing the Min River to Sui-fu (Hsii-chou Fu) return to Shanghai v7a@ the Yang- 
tzi. Its primary objects were, a careful plane-table survey of the whole route 
followed, and astronomical observations for latitude and longitude of all 
important towns visited along the line of march. In addition, it was decided 
to take and record daily meteorological observations; and photography was to 
play a great part in many ways. A useful and extensive outfit of instruments 
for all these branches of work was purchased in Europe, in addition to tents, 
camp furniture, stores, and other equipment required for a long trip in 
Palzarctic regions. 
Mr. Clark, after making all preparations possible in England, proceeded 
to India, and was there fortunate in securing the services of an expert native 
draughtsman, kindly placed at his disposal by the Survey of India. This was 
Hazrat Ali, a native of the Panjab, who, with fifteen years’ experience of 
survey work in the Army, and speaking seven languages (including English 
2 
