862 REPORT-—1896. 
Sir Robert, he appended the latter’s map of British Guiana as prepared by Siz 
Robert for the British Government, and showing on it the well-known ‘ original’ 
Schomburgk Line. The map is dated 1846 and represents the results of Sir 
Robert’s surveys during 1835-44 as lodged in the Colonial Office, London. 
Cartographers of all nations have ever since (?.c., tor 50 years) represented this 
‘original’ Schomburgk Line as the western boundary of British Guiana. It was 
also recognised as the boundary by the Crown Surveyor of British Guiana in 1875 
(Map in Proceedings R.G.S. 1880); by M. Smidt, Governor of Dutch Guiana, in 
the ‘Kaart van Guiana’ (1889); by Professor Sievers, of Giessen, in the 
‘Globus’ (January, 1896); and by Mr. Gignilliat, of the U.S. War Department, 
in the ‘National Geographic Magazine’ (Washington, February 1896). With 
only two exceptions, all the atlases belonging to the R.S.G.S. give the ‘original’ 
Schomburgk Line as the British boundary, thus leaving the British title to terri- 
tory west of that Line to be proved by treaty rights and by occupation during 
a prescriptive period. 
6. A Journey in Spitzbergen in 1896. By Sir W. Martin Conway, J.A. 
7. The Present Condition of the Ruined Cities of Ceylon. 
By Henry W. Cave, J/.A., Queen’s College, Oxford. 
The conversion of the Singhalese to Buddhism in the third century B.c —The 
first monastic establishment at Mibintale—The granite stairway of 1,840 steps 
illustrated and described—The Maha Seya Dagaba—Ancient rock insecriptions— 
The foundation of the Maha Vihara or sacred quarter of the city of Anuradhapura— 
Erection of the Thuparama Dagaba—Curious vessels and their uses—The Sacred 
Bo-Tree—The Isurumuniya Temple carved out of the natural rock, third century 
B.c.—Remarkable frescoes and sculptures on the terraces of the Isurumuniya 
Temple—The Loha Pasada or Brazen Palace—The Ruanweli or Gold-dust 
Dagaba—Specimens of Sculpture in the early centuries of the Christian era— 
Unexplored ruins of Anuradhapura—The stone-built Pokunas or baths—The 
Abhayagiria Dagaba, the largest tope in the world—The Peacock Palace erected 
in the first century of the Christian era—The Jetawanarama Dagaba (third 
century)—Remains of religious edifices of third century, not yet identified—Im- 
ortant archeological discoveries—Hermit cells of the third century—The first 
alada Maligawa, or Temple of the Tooth of Buddha (fourth century)—The past 
and the present condition of native life contrasted—Remains of an ancient street-— 
The hill fortification of Sigiriya (fifth century )—Present-day travelling illustrated— 
Success of heretic invaders—Downfall of the sacred city of Anuradhapura and the 
establishment of a new capital—The journey to Polonnaruwa—Ancient irrigation 
systems—The Minneria Tank—Remains of seventh to twelfth century buildings at 
Polonnaruwa—The Rock Temples of Dambulla—The Aluwihari at Matale—A 
glimpse at modern Ceylon, 
8. Earthquakes and Sea-Waves. By Professor Joun Mine, F.R.S. 
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22. 
The following Papers and Report were read :— 
1. The Southern Alps of New Zealand ; and a proposed Ascent of Aconcagua. 
By A. EH. FirzGErayp. 
The New Zealand Alps have in past years been much neglected by travellers. 
Few people realise that there exists in our antipodean colony a chain of Alps un- 
