

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 Shen-kan {i.e., the provinces of Shensi and 

 Kansu), skirt the Tibetan border to Ch'6ng-tu Fu, in Ssuch'uan ; then descend- 

 ing the Min River to Sui-fu (Hsii-chou Fu) return to Shanghai via the Yang- 

 tzu. 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 

 Palaearctic 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 



