4 The Rev. W. 1). Conybeare on the 



rather than island, of Australia. Thus much for geology ; 

 and if Mr. Walker will turn to the German works of Adelung 

 or Klaproth, or, among our own authors, to Dr. Prichard's 

 Physical History of Man, — the most admirable view yet offered 

 to the public of everything that is known concerning the 

 history and migrations of the various i aces of our species, — I 

 apprehend that he will find his opinions on these subjects 

 very materially altered. 



I remain, &c, your old Correspondent, 



\V. D. Conybeare. 



Addition to the Notice of Mr. Walker's Communication on 

 the Direction of the Mountain Chains of Europe and Asia. 



Mr. Walker, admitting that, -prima facie, the extension of 

 the old continent of Europe and Asia appears to be contrary to 

 his theory, namely, from east to west, is desirous, by taking in 

 Australia, to correct its longitudinal bearings to north and 

 south ; but had he studied Humboldt's admirable Essay on 

 the Asiatic Mountain Chains, he would have seen demonstra- 

 tive proof that the bearing of all those chains, individually and 

 collectively, is undoubtedly from east to west; indeed, I myself 

 feel convinced that we may safely generalize still further, and 

 assert that one grand central range of elevations pervades both 

 Asia and Europe, — for the mountain groups of the latter seem 

 clearly, if viewed in a general light, to be prolongations of 

 that grand line of elevation which traverses the former, and 

 has its culminating point in the colossal Himmaleh, deserving, 

 far more than any other mountain chain, the imposing title of 

 the Girdle of the world. 



Humboldt, on the authority of Chinese documents collected 

 by M. Klaproth, traces the continuity of the Himmalayan 

 chain from the Chinese coast on the east, — where, he ob- 

 serves, the island Formosa, elevated more than 12,469 feet, 

 appears to be a prolongation; — thence the chain proceeds west- 

 wards along the confines of Fuhkien, Keangsi and Hokwang, 

 and having penetrated the province of Yun-nan, quits China 

 for the northern part of Ava, circles the sources of the Brah- 

 maputra, bounds Assam to the north, and attaining its greatest 

 height, incloses the sources of the Ganges and Indus; on the 

 north of this point it inosculates with the Kwan-lun, a moun- 

 tain chain traversing Thibet, and proceeds westwards by the 

 Hindu Kho, and by the prolongations of the latter may be 



