806 REPORT—1899, 
Antarctic, will be to keep his science and his art handy to be turned to good 
account whenever the occasion may arise. 
4, On Antarctic Hxploration with reference to its Botanical Bearings. 
By G. Murray, /.4L.S. 
5, Report of the Committee on the Exploration of Sokotra, 
See Reports, p. 460. 
6. Travels in East Bokhara. By Mrs. W. RickmerR RICKMERS. 
Accompanied by Mr. Rickmers and Dr. v. Krafft, I left the ancient capital of 
Bokhara in June, 1898. The object of the journey was the exploration of some of 
the little-known parts of the eastern provinces of the Khanate. After a two-weeks’ 
ride on horseback through steppe and loess, the mountains of the province of 
Baljuan were reached. 
We lived for five months among the conglomerate mountains of the Yakh-Su 
Valley. This region is extremely wild and fantastic, reminding one at the same 
time of the Dolomites and the ‘ Bad Lands,’ with their dark and deep cations. The 
natives, who speaka Persian dialect, extract gold from the alluvial deposits in these 
valleys. ‘Cheir method is very primitive, and yields them a precarious livelihood, 
but experiments conducted on a large scale have shown that modern processes must 
assure big profits to enterprising pioneers. The stones composing the conglomerate 
are mostly crystalline, and the whole formation, which is in places 4,000 ft. thick, 
is ascribed by Dr. v. Krafft to the tertiary period. The highest summit, a towering 
cupola, is 13,000 ft. high, and was several times climbed. A glacier of the second 
order comes down on one side, and is curious for having a moraine composed of 
rounded fragments, which, of course, could not be otherwise, seeing that the moun- 
tain is entirely composed of conglomerate. Mr. Rickmers and Dr. v. Krafft, after 
several attempts, succeeded in making the first ascent of the Kuch-Manar, a jagged 
peak 12,000 ft. in height. The views obtained from these points were most beau- 
tiful and instructive; towards the east one beheld an ocean of snow and ice, 
bounded by the Pamir and the Alai, whereas towards the west the ground 
sloped down to the immense Transcaspian plain, 
Much time was devoted to the examination of phenomena new to the 
literature of physical geography. These were the ‘ Barriers of the Dandushka,’ 
which are remarkable for having been formed by hydrodynamic agencies, and for 
having subsequently been pierced by a caiion, likewise formed by water. Vegetable 
and animal lite was not abundant. Thin woods are only to be found in some of 
the more secluded valleys, where the natives rarely penetrate. 
Excursions into the surrounding provinces were also made, Dr. v. Krafit 
visited Darwaz, and brought back valuable geological information. Mr. Rickmers 
and I went to Kulab, and thence to the Afghan frontier, where we spent several 
days among the jungles of the Oxus, 
The return journey was vd Baljuan, Karatagh, Baissnu, and Kitab to Samar- 
kand. From Samarkand an interesting lake, the Timur-Dera-Kul, situated at a 
great height among the mountains, was visited. 
7. A Journey in Western Oaxaca, Mexico. By O. H. Howarru. 
The exploration of a portion of the State of Oaxaca, lying south and west 
between the capital city and the sea, became necessary in the latter part of last 
year, with a view to ascertain a possible route between the valley of Rio Minas, on 
the upper course of the Peiioles river, and a point on the Southern Railway, 
