288 National Geographic Magazine. 
While the National Geographic Magazine is edited by and 
constitutes the organ of the Natronan GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY, it 
is not limited to this function ; and, as was announced in the first 
number of the journal, “its pages will be open to all persons 
interested in geography in the hope that it may become a channel 
of intercommunication, stimulate geographic investigation, and 
prove an acceptable medium for the publication of results.” 
With the adoption of the modified form of the journal the 
publication year was changed from one determined by the work- _ 
ing season of the Society to the calendar year ; and it is to cover 
a hiatus in the Soctmry’s records growing out of this change that 
this fifth number of Volume II is issued. 
The National Capital seems to be a natural and appropriate 
place for an association of national character, and the aim of the 
founders has been therefore to form a continental rather than a 
local Society. That this aim has measurably succeeded is indi- 
cated by the fact that although the Narionan GrOGRAPHIC 
Soctery is only three years old there are 57 non-resident members, 
distributed over 27 states and territories. 
One of the means adopted by the Narionan GEOGRAPHIC 
Socrery for increasing geographic knowledge has been that of 
exploration. Inthe spring of 1890 an expedition was sent out 
by the Society to explore and survey the Mt. St. Elias alps of 
Alaska. The results of the expedition include (1) new deter- 
minations of altitude and geographic position for Mt. St. Elias 
and neighboring peaks ; (2) a topographic map of a considerable 
part of the Mt..St. Elias range with its southwestern foothills 
and the slopes thence to the shores of the Pacific ; (3) an inves- 
tigation of the glaciers of this alpime region ; (4) researches into 
the geology of the region ; and (5) a study of the range and its 
climatal and other conditions so complete as to prepare the way 
for detailed surveys of the entire region. — 
A report on the Mt. St. Elias expedition, comprising about 150 
pages of letter-press with 20 plates and a number of other illus- 
trations, has just been sent to press as a part of Volume III of 
the National Geographic Magazine. 
As another means of carrying out the purposes of the Socirry, 
regular fortnightly meetings are held for presenting scientific and 
