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eastern. Then follows a comparison of these mountains with the 

 Swiss Alps, in which the Caucasus is shown to excel in loftiness and 

 grandeur of peaks and mountain masses, and in wildness and solitude. 

 But the Swiss Alpine valleys surpass those of the Caucasus in the 

 charm of their beauty and restfulness. There are chapters on the eth- 

 nology of the peoples inhabiting the region, and an historical sketch of 

 the explorations of the mountains. 



These chapters are introductory to the narrative of the explorations 

 by Merzbachen, who, as an Alpine climber, undertook the ascent of 

 the loftiest and most forbidding peaks. The narrative begins with his 

 departure from Munich in 1891, and the details of the journeys are 

 presented with such thoroughness as to constitute a veritable guide- 

 book of the country traversed. Passing through Batum and Kutais to 

 Tschwelieri, the mountains are entered by way of the Lahpari Pass. 

 Following an unsuccessful attempt on Ushba, are the ascents of the 

 Laila and the Tetnuld, the crossing of the Adur-see Pass into the 

 Baksan Valley, the ascent of Elbrus and a series of high peaks east to 

 Kasbek, which, with a journey to Tifiis completes the experience of the 

 first season. The second expedition, in the summer of 1892, was 

 directed to the eastern portion of the range, and a number of lofty 

 peaks ascended, including Tebulos-mta, Komito tawi, and Donos-mta. 



The book finishes with a chapter on the map of the mountains and 

 a discussion of the names applied to the peaks and passes ; also a 

 petrographical description of rock specimens and fossils collected by 

 the author and studied by Dr. Ludwig von Ammon. Finally, there is 

 a statement of all things possibly needed for such an expedition: 

 clothing, camp outfit and provisions, apparatus, medicines, and pres- 

 ents suitable for those whose favors could not be repaid with money. 



J. P. I. 



The Geological History of the Rivers of East Yorkshire [England]; 



being the Sedgwick Prize Essay for the Year 1900. By F. 



R. Cowper Reed, Trinity College, Cambridge. 

 In this study the modern physiographic mode of working out the 

 history of topographic and drainage systems is employed with appar- 

 ent success, following confessedly American precedents. The general 

 conclusions are thought to apply to East England, and perhaps more 

 widely. They are set forth as follows : 



