122 REPORT—1868. 
In tracing the history and progress of geographical discovery, we find that mari- 
time exploration always has been, and indeed necessarily always must be its pre- 
cursor. When the coasts of i country have been thoroughly explored and defined 
on the map by the aid of astronomy and other branches of science, then, according 
to various circumstances (to the nature of the climate, the character and extent of 
the population, and other physical conditions), will the geographical features of 
the interior be developed with greater or less rapidity: all history and experience 
confirms this, and there are not wanting familiar instances within our own obser- 
vation. 
Wherever, then, it has been possible for navigation to penetrate, there the shores 
of the world are sufficiently known for all the purpose of geography proper, 
although in the interests of navigation itself, and of the commerce and intercourse of 
nations, we have ever been, and probably ever shall be, as long as the world lasts, 
adding to and refining on this knowledge. The science then, indeed, assumes 
other phases, such as Hydrography, and the Meteorology and Physical Geography 
of the ocean, the latter becoming every day of more interest and importance in a 
practical point of view, and therefore demanding in a proportionate degree the 
aid of science in its development. 
In the physical geography of the ocean must be included a knowledge of its 
depths, the nature of its bed, its temperature, its currents at the surface and beneath 
the surface, and other information necessary to meet the requirements of the present 
age: for instance, without this knowledge it would not have been possible success- 
fully to lay the submarine cables which now connect Great Britain with America, 
and which it is reasonable to suppose, so soon as the requirements of commerce shall 
justify the outlay of the capital, will be followed by similar ones, until the whole 
globe is encircled. France and America are about to be united by such a tie: a cable 
will probably be shortly laid through the centre of the Mediterranean Sea, connec- 
ting Gibraltar, Malta, and Alexandria, thence through the Red Sea, and across the 
Indian Ocean to Bombay; a portion of this will certainly be completed within 
a few weeks. The connexion of India with China on the one hand, and with 
Australia and New Zealand on the other, will probably not be long delayed. These 
ereat undertakings require not only a knowledge, but a very accurate knowledge 
of all the conditions I have mentioned, the obtaining of which demand an amount 
of skill and patience and perseverance on the part of both engineers and seamen, 
which those not fully conversant with the subject can little conceive. Our efforts, 
then, of late years have been directed to this end, and by the aid of science, and 
the modern mechanical appliances it has supplied, instead of the vague and imper- 
fect knowledge which we possessed up to a comparatively late period, we are now 
in the possession of far more accurate data: we dow the depth and nature of the 
bed of the North Atlantic between Europe and America by three different routes, 
and that it does not in any part much exceed two geographical miles, or about 
13,000 feet. The Mediterrranean Sea has been accurately measured, and its 
ereatest depth has been found scarcely less than that of the Atlantic. But a few 
weeks since the Indian Ocean, between the Red Sea and Bombay, and over other 
portions, has been sounded with remarkable accuracy, the maximum depth ob- 
tained being something over two geographical miles. Between China and Aus- 
tralia a great portion of the distance has been accurately examined, and the re- 
mainder is at present in progress; while but a few days since accounts have been — 
received of the bottom of the sea having been reached in the South Atlantic, be- 
tween the Cape of Good Hope and the Equator, the greatest depth obtained being 
18,000 feet, or nearly three geographical miles : and no doubt or uncertainty exists 
in any of these operations, for in all cases the bottom has been brought up in con- 
siderable quantities. I cannot myself but regard these results as of infinite impor- 
tance, and second to none of the geographical discoveries of past years; many of 
them, indeed, are the results of the past year. 
In connexion with this subject, I would desire to call the attention of those in- 
terested in it, to a series of Physical Charts of the Atlantic Ocean, lying on the 
table; they are among the latest of the labours of the Hydrographical Department 
of the Admiralty, and will in a few weeks be available to the public. The present 
and only copy has been pushed forward for presentation to the Section, and at no 
