TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 147 
ful.as it echoed in the lofty dome. It was impossible to hear a word spoken: nor 
could this scene be contemplated long,—there was something too fearful for the strong- 
est nerves, when trying to peer into these horrible depths. We turned away and 
looked towards the entrance; for a short distance the sides and arch were lighted up, 
but the great space and vast dome were lost in darkness. I sat down about fifty yards 
from the entrance, and in the twilight made a sketch ofthe scene. On leaving the 
cavern we passed round some jutting rocks, and then entered the narrow chasm 
beyond. Its bed was covered with large and small rounded stones—proving that 
water had once flowed through this part of the gorge, and I have no doubt it still 
does during the great storms in the mountains. As we proceeded onward, the ravine 
narrowed ifito 4 mere rent, with overhanging crags, rendering the place dark and 
gloomy. Our progress was slow and difficult, and we encountered many real dangers. 
Having emerged from the ravine, we looked down on the last low ridge; this appeared 
about three miles across, and at a short distance beyond we saw the fire of our com- 
panions blazing brightly. From this place the descent was steep ; we hurried on, and 
shortly afterwards I was sitting at our camp fire, not sorry at having safely concluded 
an adventurous day’s journey of sixteen hours; but the toil was not unrewarded: I 
liad convinced myself that the watet which had burst from the lake had formed the 
enormous channel through the plain. 
Notes on the Russo-Chinese Frontier and the Amoor River. 
By W. G. Buackts, Ph. D., F.R.GS. 
The author remarked that the river Amoor claimed attention in consequence of 
the command of its navigation having passed into the hands of the Russians, by 
whom it had been opened to commerce and employed as a means of transporting 
provisions, munitions of war, and supplies of troops to her forts on the Pacific. It 
wis one of the largest rivers in Asia, being only exceeded in length by the Yangtze 
in China, and the Yenessei and Lena in Siberia. From having direct communica- 
tion with the North Pacific Ocean, it was superior as a commercial highway for con- 
ducting imtercourse with foreign countries to the other rivers of Northern Asia, all 
of which flowed into the almost inaccessible parts of the Arctic Sea. After descri- 
bing briefly the origin and general course of the river, which is navigable for steamers 
throughout its whole course to the junction of the Shilka and the Argun, a distance 
of probably 1500 statute miles, the paper proceeded to give a sketch of the history 
of the Russian settlements in the Amoorland, and their relations with China from 
the middle of the 17th century to the opening of the Amoor to Russian navigation, 
ceded by the Chinese in 1847, and the subsequent establishment of the fort of Niko- 
lajéwsk, at the mouth of the river. The advantages thus gained by Russia were 
made apparent in 1854 and 1855, when large stores of munitions of war were trans- 
ported from Siberia to Shilkinsk and thence down the Shilka and Amoor to the 
North Pacific, at a saving of nearly 3000 miles of land carriage. A more detailed 
account then followed of the chief features of the river, the territory through which 
it runs, and the native tribes inhabiting its banks. In regard to the suitableness of 
the district for colonization, the genial climate prevailing at the southern bend of the 
Amoor was adverted to, as evinced by the existence of the wild-vine, and the pro- 
duétion of an excellent quality of tobacco. The season duting which the river is open 
for navigation from the ocean was stated to be from about the middle of June to the 
commencement of October. At Kisi, however, the Amoor is free of ice for six months, 
while the Bay of Castries is open for eight months ; and to ensure a longer season fot 
navigation than is attainable from Nikolajewsk, the construction of a railway is said 
to bé contemplated between Kisi and the Bay of Castries.- The author remarked tike- 
Wise otf the great advantage likely to acerué to Russia from the facilities afforded by’ 
this river to East Siberia for sending her mineral and othér riches to the ocean, and 
receiving foreign articles in return at a much lower price than formerly. In regard 
to the trade with China also, it was observed that a portion of the merchandise, now 
annually sent overland to Siberia by Kiachta, might in future be transported by sea 
to the mouth of the Amo?, atid therice up the river fo the interior of the country. 
Attention was directed to the cireumstance of an active trade being already carried 
on by the United States with the Russian station at Nikolajewsk, and the inference 
10* 
