162 
THE new number of the Deutsche Geographische Blatter con- 
tinues the interesting account by Dr. Arthur Krause of the 
researches of himself and his brother in the Chukchi peninsula 
and Alaska; there is, besides, a separate catalogue of the ethno- 
logical collections, and a short paper by Dr. Kuntz of the plants 
collected. The number contains a useful paper on South New 
Guinea from the observations of D’Albertis, Moresby, Mac- 
farlane, and others. Inthe Zed¢schrift of the Berlin Geographical 
Society are several papers of interest. Major Lovemann gives 
the leading results of the new survey of Russia, which is being 
carried out ; Dr, Hann examines the data cf Dr. Rholt’s for the 
altitudes in the oasis of Kufra; Herr G. A. Krause gives some 
account of the Saharan town of Chat, which is followed by an 
abstract of the census of Bulgaria ; and a preliminary account of 
Prof. Haussnecht’s Oriental travels. Dr. W. Gotz contributes a 
valuable paper on asubject which is taking great prominence in 
Germany—commercial Geography, while Dr. Reiss contributes 
an analysis of recent researches in some tributaries of the 
Amazon, Inthe December number of the Deutsche Rundschau 
for geography and statistics (Vienna, Hartleben), we have the 
conclusion of Baron von Lehnest’s paper on his Land Forma- 
tions in the Lunda region, the first of a series of pictures from 
East Africa, by Karl Berghoff ; ashort paper on the distribution 
of islands, and a biography of Mr. A. R. Wallace, with a good 
portrait. The number contains many other short papers and 
notes. 
THE new quarterly number of the Bu//etin of the Paris Geo- 
graphical Society reports at length several important papers : 
Commander Gallieni gives an account of his mission to the 
Upper Niger and Segou, with a map and several intere-ting 
illustrations, some of which show curious formations, suggesting 
the buttes of some of the North American rivers. M. 
d’Abbadie has a useful paper on the spelling of foreign words ; 
M. Jules Garnier an account of his excursion to the country of 
the Don Co:sacks; M. M. Biollay, a paper on Finland; M. 
Dutreuil de Rhins, on Pere Creuse’s journeys to Southern China ; 
M. Romanet du Caillaud, notes on the Ting-King; and M. 
Theodore Ber the fir-t part of an elaborate paper on the 
Titicacon valley of Tiahuanaco. 
THE December number of Petermann's Mittheilungen con- 
tains some supplementary information by Dr. Junker on his 
Welle explorations, in addition to the letters already referred to. 
Herr R. A. Hehl contributes a geographico-geological sketch 
of the Brazilian coast-lands between 20° and 23° S. lat. Along 
with the chief results of the Hungarian Census is an excellent 
series of statistical maps showing the various aspects of the 
figures. Signor P. Gialussi contributes an interesting paper on 
the changes which have resulted from recent geological action in 
an Istrian valley, while Herr Hehl gives a detailed account of 
the German colonies in South Brazil. 
Tue Carpathian Club, which was formed at Hermannstadt 
(Transylvania) after the pattern of the Alpine Club in 1880, 
having for its object the study and minute investigation of the 
mountains of the country, as well as the endeavour to direct the 
attention of tourists tu that region, already numbers no less than 
1200 members. Itis divided into nine sections. Quite recently 
the second year-book of the Club appeared, which contains a 
number of valuaole scientific papers, as well as descriptions of 
tours in the Carpathian Mountains. 
SCHWEIGER-LERCHENFELD’S interesting work ‘‘ Die Adria,’ 
has just been completed in twenty-five parts, and published by 
Hertleben of Vienna. The fact that the eastern coasts of the 
Adriatic are so little known by the general traveller, renders the 
book valuable. In an appendix the commerce of the Adriatic, 
as well as the fisheries, are spoken of, and an excellent map is 
added to the work. 
THE ROYAL SOCIETY 
UIA 
THE subject of the Circumpolar Observations mentioned in 
my address last year, was since that time brought more 
formally before our Government by that of Russia. At the 
7 Address of the President, William Spottiswoode, D.C.L., LL.D., 
delivered at the Anniversary Meeting, November 30, 1882. Con‘inued from 
p. 137. 
NATURE 
; not exceed 2,500/. 
[ Dec. 14, 1882 
request of the Treasury, the President and Council, after con- 
sultation with the Meteorological Office, advised as follows :— 
“The object of the undertaking is to throw light on the 
influence of the great inaccessible region surrounding the pole on 
the meteorology and magnetism of the earth. With this view 
it is proposed to take simultaneous observations at a chain of 
circumpolar stations for a full year at least. 
‘*A chain of not less than eight stations will be occupied 
independently of any co-operation by this country. This chain, 
however, leaves a gap of go° in longitude in the northern part of 
America, the centre of which would be advantageously occupied 
by a station in the Dominion of Canada. The value of the 
results will be greatly enhanced by the addition of this link to 
the chain. Independently of this, such a station would be of 
great value as being of a continental character, in contrast with 
the other stations, which are in close proximity to the coast. By 
choosing for the station one of the forts of the Hudson’s Bay 
Company, no great outlay need be involved in its occupation.” 
The point first proposed was Fort Good Hope, near the mouth 
of the Mackenzie River ; but it was found too late to erect the 
necessary huts and to transport the party and its provisions there 
during the present season. Fort Simpson, on the same river, 
was next suggested. Guided by considerations of facilities of 
access and sustentation, the Committee came to the conclusion 
that either Fort Rae or Fort Providence, on Great Slave Lake, 
is to be preferred to Fort Simpson, with which the former forts 
nearly agree in latitude; and accordingly the President and 
Council recommended one of these. 
“Tn framing an estimate, it was thought well to assume that 
the expedition might last a year and eight months, so as to allow 
a sufficient margin for travelling to and from the station, and for 
possible detention in waiting for the Hudson’s Bay Company’s 
brigade. It is calculated that the cost might be safely estimated 
at 3,000’., which would include salaries of one officer and three 
men ; journey of the party from England and back, including 
reasonable baggage ; rations, allowances, and al] other expenses.” 
To this communication the following reply was received :— 
“* My Lords have to thank you, and the Committee whom the 
Council appointed to advise them in the matter, for the valuable 
information contained in Dr, Michael Foster’s letter of the 16th 
ultimo, Acting upon that information and upon the advice of 
the Royal Scciety, Her Majesty’s Government have decided that 
this is an object on which public money may properly be employed 
and they are prepared to ask Parliament to provide a total sum 
not exceeding 2,500/. for the purpose. My Lords understand 
that there is good reason to hope that the balance required to 
make up the total estimated cost of 3,000/. will be forthcoming 
from other sources. 
**T am to ask whether the Royal Society would be so good as 
to take charge of the Expedition under similar conditions to 
those under which the Transit of Venus Expedition is being con- 
ducted ; accounts of the expenditure chargeable to the Parlia- 
mentary grant being rendered to this Department. The choice 
of stations, the appointment of observers, and the methods of 
procedure would be left entirely to the Society, subject to the 
condition that the total amount chargeable on public funds does 
My Lords understand that it is expected that 
not more than 1,500/. of this amount would come in course of 
payment during the present year, and they will present e-timates 
to Parliament for 1,500/. and 1,000/. at the proper times.” 
The Canadian Government has since promised a contribution 
of 4,000 dollars towards the expenses of the expedition. 
A committee, consisting of the President, Dr. Rae, Sir George 
Richards, Mr. R. H. Scott, and Prof. Stokes, was accordingly 
appointed to superintend the expedition, which, comprising 
Captain H. P. Dawson, R.A., in command, Sergeants J. 
English and F. Cookesley as observers, and W. Wedenby, as 
artificer, left England on May 11, for Quebec, was heard of at 
Fort Carlton on 27th June, and was about to proceed the next 
day for Green Lake, on the way to Portage Loche. It was still 
not quite certain whether it might not be necessary to push on to 
Fort Simpson, on account of insufficient accommodation, as well 
as lack of time and materials for building at Fort Rae. 
Two parts of Mittheilung:n der Jnternationalen Polar Com- 
mission haye been published, containing full particulars and 
instructions relating to the whole circumpolar scheme. 
The geological, mineralogical, and botanical collections, 
formerly in the Museum in Bloomsbury, have been properly 
arranged in the new building in Cromwell Road, and are on 
exhibition in their respective galleries. A commencement has 
