TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION E. 753 



the Phasis (iv. 37) taken as parallel with the Euphrates-Tigris basin, and perhaps 

 representing the meridian either of Susa or of Ecbatana. From this project west- 

 ward two promontories — Asia Minor and Arabia — washed respectively on their 

 outward sides by the Euxine and the ' Eed Sea.' Arabia ' in theoretical geography 

 leaves off' at the Isthmus of Suez, as Asia Minor does at the Dardanelles, but is 

 * practically found to be continuous ' with Libya (iv. 39). Between the Peninsulre 

 lies the ' Mediterranean ' Sea, with Cyprus in its axis (cf. v. 49) ; the Equator 

 bisects the Mediterranean from the Pillars of Herakles, through Cyprus, to the 

 Phojnician coast ; thence (probably through Ecbatana) down the Pactyas river 

 (perhaps the Ganges) into the Eastern Ocean. The southern coast line of Asia is 

 determined by the voyage of Skylax (iv. 44) ; the northern is inferred thence by 

 symmetrv, and accommodated to the known Caspian (iv. 40). 



The current controversy as to the frontiers of the continents refers also to these 

 same maps (iv. 36, 39, 41,45, 197), and to the map of Hecataeus (iv. 4.5), and is 

 explained, together with the distortion of the eastern half of the known world, by 

 the dithculty of apportioning a circular world among three traditionally equal 

 continents, one of which, Libya, has since been determined to occupy only one 

 quadrant of the circle, and to be bounded by the S. half meridian and the W. 

 half equator, while the opposite quadrant remains still practically unknown. 



T). On the Sixth International Geographical Congress, London, 1895. 

 By Major Leonard Darwin, Sec. R.G.S. 



A short historical account of the (Congress may be usefully included in the 

 proceedings of the Section, so as to make them a complete record of the scientific 

 year. 



Five international geographical congresses have been held in various European 

 centres during the last twenty-five years, but this is the first time that this inter- 

 national gathering has assembled in England. The Royal Geographical Society 

 took the initiative in the matter of organisation, and the President of the Royal 

 Geographical Society, Mr. Clements Markham, was, according to precedent, 

 nominated President of the Congress, Mr. J. S. Keltie and Dr. H. R. Mill being 

 appointed Secretaries. An exliibition was arranged in connection with the Con- 

 gress which, whilst it entailed much labour on Mr. Ravenstein, Mr. Coles, and 

 Mr. Thomson, who organised it, proved an attractive feature of the meeting. 



The Congress was formally opened on the evening of Friday, July 26, by H.R.H. 

 the Duke of York, one of the honorary presidents. On the following day the 

 President delivered his opening address, in which he reviewed the present position 

 of geographical science. In the afternoon two sections met. The question of 

 surveying by photography was dealt with in one section, whilst in the other a 

 very interesting discussion on education took place. Professor E. Levasseur dis- 

 cussed the French educational system, and pointed out the desirability of making 

 geography less a matter of memory, which could only be done by making it em- 

 brace a wider area of thought. Dr. Lehmann and Mr. Herbertson advocated higher 

 training for geographical teachers, the latter pointing out that instruction in 

 geogi-aphy in England in secondary schools was even in a worse position than in 

 primary schools. Mr. H. J. Mackinder, in opening the discussion, showed that in 

 England we are far behind both France and Germany in University and in secon- 

 dary geograj)hical training, and suggested the establishment of a geographical 

 institute in London. Mr. H. Yule Oldham spoke in favour of the development of 

 geography at Oxford and Cambridge. A small committee drafted the following 

 resolution, which was afterwards adopted by the Congress : 'The attention of this 

 International Congress having been drawn by the British members to the educa- 

 tional efforts being made by the British Geographical Societies, the Congress de- 

 sires to express its hearty sympathy with such efforts, and to place on record its 

 opinion that in every country provision should be made for higher education in 

 geography, either in the Universities or otherwi.se.' 



Monday, July 30, was devoted in great part to the polar regions. Dr. G. 



1805. 3c 



