462 : REPORT—1905. 
JOHANNESBURG. 
TUESDAY, AUGUST 29. 
The following Papers were read :— 
1. The Sikhim Himalayas and Tibet. 
By Douctas W, Fresueiecp, M.A. 
2. The Physical Features of the Transvaal.! 
By Tuvor G. Trevor, /.G.S. 
3. The Triangulation of the Johannesburg Gold Fields.” 
By C. VAN DER STEER. 
4. Geographical Notes on Africa South of the Limpopo.’ 
By ¥.S. WaveERMEYER. 
The author gave a brief historical sketch of the cartography of South Africa, 
traced the history of its population, and discussed the physical features and 
climatic phenomena that presented themselves with regard to their influence on 
the development of the pastoral and agricultural industry of the country. His 
history of the cartography of Africa commenced with a description of the map 
of Herodotus and concluded with the geodetic survey now being conducted 
under the supervision of Sir David Gill. The distribution of native races was 
described, and an historical sketch of the European colonisation of the sub-continent 
was incorporated from the Cape census returns. He said that the best watered 
part of the country was along the eastern slopes of the Drakensberg, and the best 
wheat-growing parts were on the west coast of Cape Colony from Elephant’s 
River to Mossel Bay and the strip along the western slopes of the Drakensberg. 
The Agricultural Department of the Transvaal was doing yeoman service in 
proving the capabilities of the country for agriculture and stock-farming. 
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30. 
The following Papers were read :— 
1. Artificial Globes and their place in Geography. 
By Captain E. W. Creat, C.B., R.W., VRS. 
In view of the world-wide extent of the British Empire and the extent of its 
commerce, it is at least very remarkable that a lack of geographical knowledge 
prevails to a large extent amongst our people. The telegraph has placed us in 
almost daily communication with all parts of the habitable world, yet, even of 
those parts where live our colonial kith and kin, how much ignorance there is in 
the British Isles of the relative positions of those parts, their distance apart, and 
general distinctive features. 
Little has hitherto been done to remedy this; but there are unmistakable signs 
! Published in full in the Geographical Journal, 1906. 
? Published in the Journal of the Institute of Land Surveyors of the Transvaatl. 
’ Published in fullin the Scottish Geographical Magazine for December 1905 
and January 1906. 
