TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 193 



rora ' show iliat the North Pacific is much colder than the North Atlantic, and 

 tliat the immense stratum of warm water found in the latter is wanting- in the 

 North Pacific. But as the North Pacific is almost entirely cut off" frona the cold 

 Arctic basin, its waters, according- to the gravitation theory, instead of being 

 colder, ought to be much warmer than those of the Atlantic. It is found also 

 that the North Pacific is actually warmer at latitude 52° than at latitude 43°, a 

 fact also inconsistent with the gi-avitation theory, but easily explained by the wind 

 theory. 



TJie Southern Ocean. — The thermal condition of the Southern Ocean, as ascertained 

 by the ' OhalleDger ' Expedition, appears also in-econcilable with the gravitation 

 theory. Between the parallels of latitude 65° 42' S. and 50° 1' S. the ocean, with 

 the exception of a thin stratum at the surface heated by the sun's rays, was found, 

 down to the depth of about 200 fathoms, to be several degrees colder than the water 

 underneath. But, according- to the gravitation theory, the colder water should be 

 underneath. 



The very fact of a mass of water 200 fathoms deep, and extending over 15° of 

 latitude, remaining above water of 3° or 4° higher temperature, shows how little 

 influence ditt'erence of temperature has in producing motion. If it had the potency 

 which some attribute to it, one would suppose that this cold stratum should sink 

 down and displace the warm water underneath. If difference of density is suffi- 

 cient to move the water horizontally, surely it must be more than sufficient to 

 cause it to sink vertically. 



Exploration of the Pamir Steppe. By Colonel T. E. Gordon. 



On Journeys in Paraguay in 1874-75. By Keith Johnstoit. 



This paper* gave a general description of several journeys made in Paraguay 

 during 1874-75, specially (i) of a journey through the old Jesuit mission-stations 

 of Southern Paraguay bordering on the Parana ; (2) of another with the mixed 

 commission, marking out the limits between Paraguay and Brazil on the north ; 

 (.3) in Central Paraguay, during which a running survey was made of the chief 

 interior river, tlie Tebicuary. 



The paper further contained an account of the hydi'ography and extent of 

 navigation in the rivers of Paraguay ; the elevation of the country, especially of the 

 northern watershed in connexion with barometric observations made for altitude ; 

 then of the population in numbers and race, and the distribution of the several 

 tribes of independent Indians ; concluding with a summary of the localities pro- 

 ducing the Yerba-mat^ or Paraguay tea, the staple product of the country. 



Report on iJie Progress of the Arctic Expedition and on the Proceedinc/s of 

 H.M.8. 'Valorous: By C. E. Makkham, C.B., F.ll.S. 



Himalayan Glaciers. By Colonel T. G. Montgomeeie, B.E., F.R.S,, c^-c. 



The author made a brief reference to the general geography of India and 

 the Himalayas. He pointed out the very great progress which had been made 

 with the geography of Northern India, the Punjab, &c. since 1842, and more espe- 

 cialty as to the exploration and survey of the VVestern Himalayas. In order to 

 illustrate his paper lie exhibited a large map of the Western Himalayas, showing- 

 the whole of the glaciers and the complete breadth of the Himala3'an sj'stem from 

 the Punjab to the plains of Eastern Turkistan, near Yarkund. Tlie peaks and 

 glaciers of this superalpine region were fm-lher illustrated by three large coloured 

 sketches of portions of the Mustagh and Karakoram mountains, and by a section 

 taken right through the moimtains, which at this their nan-owest part are 400 miles 

 in breadth. He pointed out that the glaciers gradually increased in size from east 

 * Vide 'Geographical Magazine,' parts 9, 10, 11 (1875). 



