446 REPORT—1905. 
From the earliest times, however, geographical information included other than 
topographical data. 
It was soon found that for the traveller and statesman, whether in peace or 
war, more was wanted to enable Geography to supply requirements. 
The nature of a country, the supply of food and water, the character of the 
rivers, the manners and customs of the inhabitants, their language and affinities 
the climate, and other matters, were all of much moment, and Geography dealt 
with ore all, being, as its name denotes, in the broadest sense a ‘ deseription of 
the earth.’ 
After the first crude guesses of relative positions, founded on times occupied on 
journeys, other knowledge was enlisted in the cause. 
Astronomy was soon recognised as the only means by which to ascertain the 
distances of places far apart and separated by seas, but for many centuries this 
could only be applied to latitude. Still the scientific geographer had to study and 
tse the astronomical and geodetic methods known. 
As knowledge increased, the subjects became too wide to be strictly considered 
as one study, and many have become the objects of special research under different 
titles. 
Geodesy deals with the precise form of the earth and its dimensions, 
Geology studies the nature of the materials forming the earth’s crust, and the 
changes in it in past ages, 
Ethnology and Anthropology treat of the different races of mankind. 
The study of Economics takes note of the conditions of communities and nations 
their laws and systems of government. : 
Botany and Zoology now concern themselves with the details of vegetable and 
animal life. 
Archeology investigates the remains of past civilisations which cover the 
earth. 
Meteorology strives to unravel and reduce to law the complicated conditions 
of the atmosphere, its continual movements, and the results which have such 
varying effect on our daily life. 
Oceanography, the study of the phenomena of the sea as distinct from the dry 
land, is still regarded as an integral part of Geography, but is rapidly becoming a 
subject by itself. 
Of all these subjects Geography may be considered to be the parent ; and though 
the family be large and has gone off on many separate lines, it is necessary when 
taking a large and comprehensive view of the united results of knowledge thus 
gained, especially from the point of view of Distribution, to return to that parent 
and consider them on a general or geographical basis. 
I cannot pretend to define Geographical Science in a clearer or shorter form 
than that in which it has been already put by General Sir Richard Strachey, and 
I will quote his words :-— 
‘To investigate and delineate the various features of the earth, to study the 
distribution of land and sea, and their effects upon climate, the configuration and 
relief of the surface, positions on the globe, and so forth, facts which determine 
the existent conditions of various parts of the earth, or which indicate former con- 
ditions, and to ascertain the relations that exist between those features and all 
that is observed on the earth.’ 
Strabo, in the opening words of his introduction to his great. Geography, puts 
it thus :— 
‘Ifthe scientific investigation of any subject be the proper avocation of the 
philosopher, Geography, the science of which we propose to treat, is certainly 
entitled to a high place. In addition to its vast importance in regard to social 
life and the art of government, Geography unfolds to us the celestial phenomena 
acquaints us with the occupants of the land and ocean, and the vegetation, fruits, 
and peculiarities of the various quarters of the earth.’ : 
This was written when Geograj by included all natural science, and before it 
