36 INTRODUCTION. 



commensurate with the present state of the 

 sciences, I cannot help repeating, that on the whole 

 coast of Siberia, from Waygatz' Straits to Beering's 

 Straits, that is, a tract of 130 degrees of longitude, 

 we have not a single point, the longitude and lati- 

 tude of which is determined by astronomical ob- 

 servations, and that we absolutely do not know how 

 far the northern point of Asia extends, and conse- 

 quently cannot accurately state the superficial ex- 

 tent of Siberia. I have shown, in another place 

 (Naval Chronicle, October 1814,) what great 

 differences in the latitude are to be found in the 

 newest charts; at which indeed we cannot wonder, 

 since none can be shown to be in the wrong j and 

 how important it therefore is to determine, by astro- 

 nomical observations, the geographical positions of 

 the principal points of the coast, and the most 

 remarkable capes ; but especially the mouths of 

 the rivers flowing into the icy sea. * We are 

 equally deficient in accurate knowledge of the 



* The public will be happy to learn, that this wish, publicly 

 expressed six years ago, is at length in the way of being ful- 

 filled. In the month of March this year (1820), Baron Wran- 

 gel and M. Von Anjon, lieutenants of the fleet, set out from St. 

 Petersburg; the first to the mouth of the river Kolyma, to 

 determine astronomically the coast to the east and west of that 

 river, and to make an attempt to reach the north-east point of 

 Asia, and, if possible, to double it. The destination of Lieut. 

 Anjon is the mouth of the river Jana; to proceed from thence 

 to survey, in the most accurate manner, tlie islands to the north 

 of that river, to which group New Siberia, as it is called, be- 

 longs. 



