Ss 
TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION E. 897 
maps and the historical evidence. The result is the same. The existence of 
ancient originals from which the medieval copies were made is no longer open to 
dispute. They have never been subjected to critical analysis. It is reasonable to 
anticipate other important additions to geographical knowledge as the result of 
the renewed credit which will henceforth attach to the only atlas which has 
reached us from ancient days. 
4, Some Points in connection with Ptolemaic Geography and Ptolemaic 
Maps.' By Dr. ScuuicuTer. 
Dr. Schlichter sought to show by comparison of the positions given in 
Ptolemy's geography that that geographer must have had trustworthy information 
concerning North-east Africa, the Central Lakes, and the neighbouring mountains. 
5. The actual State of the Question of the Initial Meridian for the Universal 
Hour. By C. Tonpint DE QUARENGAI. 
6. On recent Explorations in New Guinea.? By Coutts Trotter, F.R.G.S. 
7. Honduras (Spanish).2 By Wiiu1am Pitcuer, F.R.G.S. 
The writer visited the country December 1889, leaving it the end of 
February 1890, and during that period travelled on muleback over 1,000 miles, 
chiefly through that part of the country lying on the Pacific side of the 
Cordilleras, which mountain range forms the backbone of the Central American 
continent. 
From Amapala, the Pacific port, to Tegucigalpa, the capital, from thence 
to Juticulpa, in Olancho, then to Comayagua (the ancient capital), and the famous 
silver mines of Opoteca, then to Yuscaran, in El Paraiso, another mining district, 
back again by another route to Olancho, and finally journeying again from 
Blancho through the capital to Amapala, and from there to La Union, Salvador, 
where the Pacific mail steamer was picked up, gives a brief outline of the country 
traversed. 
This comprises the well-known rivers Guayape and Jalan, in Olancho, 
where the gold-washing provides an easy living for the natives, an inspection of 
the old Spanish mines at Opoteca and Yuscaran, and at the latter place of the 
mining camps of the Americans and Germans now in full work, and in addition 
takes the traveller through and over the beautiful and fertile valleys and plateaus 
of this country, where tropical vegetation abounds, and coffee, rice, maize, sugar-cane, 
bananas, plantains, saccate, guavas, oranges, lemons, and other fruits are continuously 
produced without fear of frosts or adverse seasons. Herds of cattle and native 
horses are scattered over the country. 
The paper contained some figures and statements as to cattle raising, the culti- 
vation of coffee, sugar-cane, and tropical fruits. 
8. On a Visit to the Skaptor District of Iceland. 
Dy Dr. Tempest AnpERsoN and Dr. Jounston-Lavis. 
? Printed in Proc. R.G.S. vol. xiii. 
? See Proc. R.G.S. vol. xii. p. 687. 
* See Scottish Geographical Magazine, vol. vi. 
