726 REPORT — 1886. 



kind of manual wliich might be useful in preparing officers for dealing with ques- 

 tions such as these, I would sohcit reference to a late paper which I contributed 

 to a quarterly journal, and which I have once before quoted. In it, I stated : — 



' Asia itself is a stupendous study, but the difficulties may be smoothed to the 

 learner by the judicious employment of method, which, after disposing of essential 

 generalities, would naturally tend to division and subdivision. The first would 

 imply a region such as Turkestan ; the second, a group of States or single States 

 only, such as Bukhara and Khiva. Given, then, a particular area, the next con- 

 sideration should be to explain its physical geograph}^ This should comprise the 

 scientidc description of its mountains, rivers, and valleys. Its orography should 

 be comprehensive in respect of direction, elevation, watersheds, and connection 

 with plains and plateaux; its hydrography should treat of sources and mouths, 

 basins, drainage, and connection with lake and swamp. Climate and the more im- 

 portant forms of animal and vegetable life should succeed in due course ; indeed, 

 something of geology, zoology, and botany, and it may be more besides, might 

 reasonably be added to satisfy the requirements of purely scientific teaching. 

 After science, history would follow, and, joined to history, an account of the re- 

 ligion, manners, and customs of the people, as affected by the historical narrative ; 

 a statement of the artificial lines of separation which have replaced natural boun- 

 daries in consequence of the wars, revolutions, or arbitrary changes which have 

 characterised certain reigns or epochs ; an exposition of the form or forms of 

 government in vogue at different periods ; and, finally, a chapter on trade and 

 commerce, including a notice of indigenous products and manufactures. Maps, 

 applicable to relations of territorial changes, would be of immense value ; and an 

 historian's criticism on these relations, if offered in that fair spirit which alone is 

 justified in composing history, would be an indispensable complement.' 



But it is not the preparation of a manual which I have come before you to 

 advocate. This would be one of the many fruits of a system now sorely needed 

 for establishing at home the true position of geography as apprehended to a great 

 extent abroad. I am one of those old-fashioned and perhaps obsolete persons who 

 believe, not in the infallibility but in the ability of this country as a governing 

 Power. If that ability is proved in the creation and growth of its colonies, it is 

 no less distinguished by an unselfish tendency to lead those colonies to govern 

 themselves. But the unselfishness would be selfish if confined to the action of 

 Great Britain alone. It should be an example to other States and Powers to ' go 

 and do likewise.' That example, rendered available in International arrangements 

 by fitting action at fitting opportunities, can only be carried out by a knowledge of 

 geography in its widest sense. As to questions of territorial boundary, in Asia or 

 elsewhere, we may be fortunate in having able officers to decide, and wise Govern- 

 ments to scrutinise decisions : but one generation may not keep pace with another 

 generation in the character of its Governments or agents, and the doctrine of 

 chances is not a safe one in a matter of State urgency. 



Plainly, let us not lose the immense advantage given to us by Providence 

 owing to the want of systematic knowledge in a branch of science in which we are 

 shown to have been outstripped by Continental nations, but which all historical 

 precedent warns us that it is our duty to foster to the iittermost. 



The following Papers were read : — 



1. Notes on the Extent, Topogra'phy, Climatic Peculiarities, Flora, and 

 Agricultural Capabilities of the Canadian North-west. By Professor 

 John Macoun, M.A. 



The author describes the geographical and topographical features of the North- 

 west, and shows that its leading feature is that of a plane sloping to the north. 

 From this results a nearly uniform climate. A uniform climate gives unity of 

 natural productions, and cereals or other crops, if successful on one part, will 

 therefore be equally so under the same conditions in another. 



