650 REPORT— 1889. 



Section E.— GEOGRAPHY. 



Pkesident op the Section — Colonel Sir Francis de Winton, K.C.M.G., 



C.B., F.R.G.S. 



THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12. 



The Pkesident delivered the following Address : — 



GEOGKAPHy has not inaptly been defined as ' the science of distributions,' and 

 from whatever aspect we view it, whether from a large and comprehensive basis 

 embracing all the conditions which surround it as a science, or from the narrower 

 limits of simple physiography, we find certain well-defined principles, or one may 

 term them natural laws, pervading everywhere, whose actions have, through their 

 influences on the past, created the present, and according to the uses we now put 

 them must largely govern the future. 



The formation of our globe, unfolded to our vision by scientific discovery, brings 

 us face to face with Nature in all her awful grandeur ; and we learn how, under a 

 beneficial and all- wise Providence, this world has been fashioned and made for the 

 use of man during periods of time almost beyond man's calculations ; and in the 

 history of man upon earth — a mere drop in this ocean of time — we read of the rise 

 and fall of nations, of great wars, of the discoveries of new routes (so ably described 

 by my friend and talented predecessor in the address delivered by him in Section E. 

 last year), and we see what large and important developments have taken place as 

 regards the commerce and trade of the world by the effect of these influences ; and 

 then, turning to more recent days, we enter upon the discovery of steam, and its 

 application as a motive power, — a discovery which has given rise to extraordinary 

 changes— changes by which the whole trade of the world and its industries have 

 been stimulated and promoted. Add to this the inventions in electricity, by which 

 almost instantaneous communication has been established to all parts of the globe, 

 and we may well cease to wonder at the increase that has been manifested in what 

 may be termed the motive power of the world, and the development of its larger 

 activities. 



Still the natural laws which govern this globe, in their relation to the science 

 of geography, remain the same. It matters not how rapidly you travel from the 

 pole to the equator, you will freeze at the one and perspire at the other ; and while 

 passing through the different zones of temperature lying between these regions — the 

 frigid, temperate, and torrid zones — you will find each with their own products, 

 varying with climate, soil, and peculiarity of position, and these variations pervade 

 the whole realm of nature. Take man as an example : with all his power of brain 

 and reason, he is largely subject to his environment. Look at the toiling millions 

 of the temperate zone, and the enormous activity they display, both mental and 

 physical. Note their colour, form, nervous development ; and then pass into the 

 tropics, and the whole creature is changed : he is different in colour, and displays 

 none of the energy or brain-power of the white species of his kind. Why is this ? 

 It is chiefly due to the environment in which the creature is living. 



The effect of climate upon race is somewhat remarkably illustrated in recent 

 times by noticing the physique and nerve-power of the present race of Americans. 



