TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION E. 7G1 



miles. The Nile itself — the Bahi- el Abyad and the Bahr el Jebel — is navigable 

 from Khartum to Kiri, a distance of 1,068 miles. 



From Kiri, which is a tine district, aud its Nile port, an important nodality, a 

 line of some 50 miles to the mouth of the I'nyama will bring the trade by ship 

 from the lands in the basin of the Bahr el Jebel, the Victoria Nile, the Albert 

 Lake, and the Albert Nile. 



From the mouth of the Unyama a line will be made up tlie valley for some 

 50 miles to Fatiko, which is a fine district, and from Fatiko to Fauvera, some 70 

 to 80 miles, whence the Victoria Nile is navigable to Urondogani, some 160 to 180 

 miles. 



Thus there is a feasible highway of trade from Usoga, Unyoro, and Uganda, 

 and most of Kitara to Akik, as the Port of the Upper Nile. 



— r~ 



7. Exploration in the Jajoanese Alps, 1891-94. By the Rev. Waltkr 



Weston, M.A., F.R.G.S. 



The two chief mountain systems of Japan, running nortb-east and south-west 

 respectiveh', meet in the centre of Hondo (the main island). Here, where the 

 country attains its greatest width, the peaks rise to the loftiest heights, and 

 exhibit the grandest characteristics in the range of the ' Japanese Alps.' The 

 distant view resembles that of the Sierra Nevada of Spain, to which these 

 mountains correspond in latitude and elevation. The range rises from the Sea 

 of Japan, about .37° N. latitude, and extends nearly 100 miles southwards, 

 throwing oil' spurs east and west. Some of the highest peaks are volcanic, 

 others are granite ; or, as in the case of Yarigatake, the highest (10,500 feet), 

 hard brecciated porphyry. 



Owing to its position, the chain forms a barrier to the Siberian winds after 

 their passage over the moist atmosphere of the Japan Sea, aud causes an extra- 

 ordinary snowfall in the winter, sometimes capable of burying whole villages, on 

 the west side, whilst the east at the same time is comparatively free from snow. 



No traces of glacial action have been found, but snow lies in summer as low 

 as 7,000 feet in various places. 



Remarkable solfataras are found on some of the volcanic peaks, notably on 

 Tateyama, in the north. 



At the foot of other mountains mineral springs (usually sulphur or chalybeate) 

 attract the peasantry by their medicinal properties. In some of these baths people 

 are said to stay for a month at a time, sitting with a heavy stone on the lap to 

 prevent them from floating in their sleep. 



Several remarkable silver and copper mines have been found on the west side 

 of the range. Near Hirayu, at a height of 7,000 feet, work is carried on all the 

 year round, the annual output of copper being said to reach 140,000 lb., and that 

 of .silver 2,-500 lb. 



Hhejlora is remarkable both for variety and extent. 



Alpine plants K,re found near the summits, whilst lower down the flanks of 

 the chain show many English wild flowers side by side with our favourite orna- 

 mental plants, in addition to others which are quite strangers to us. 



Magnificent lilies {auratu7n, tigrinum, &c.). Lychnis grandiflora. Hydrangeas, 

 Iris, &c., give gorgeous colouring to the lower slopes. Stately cypress forests 

 abound, and on the west side the Japanese yew, celebrated for the beauty of its 

 red-grained timber, is found, usually, however, as a scattered shrilb. The 

 mulberry tree is extensively grown on the east and west sides, the silkworm 

 culture being a very widespread industry. 



The /«!ma includes black bears, boars, chamois, badgers, hares (which turn white 

 in winter), flying squirrels, &c. 



The writer has also met with the golden eagle, ptarmigan, black-and-white 

 crow, and a nightingale with a very sweet full note. 



The giant salamander has occasionally been found, especially in the south- 

 west of the range. 



The clear mountain streams abound in trout. 



