GEOGRA PIIIC DEVELOl'MENT OF CIVILIZA TIOX 29 



]M. C, K. II. Hood, Diivid Iluteheson, Henry Clay Jolinson, Williain D. 

 Kelly, Miss INIary A. Law, Capt. S. C. Lenily, U. S. N., J. H. Luckett, 

 Col. Geo. G. Martin, \Vm. W. Neifert, Lieut. H. C. Ponndstone, U. S. N., 

 L. M. Prindle, Hon. Redlield Proctor, U. S. S., Mr von Keiclieiiau (Ger- 

 man Embassy), Hnshnjd Robinson, Senor Don J. I). Rodri<rnez (Minister, 

 Greater Republic of Central Aniericai, Geo. Otis Smith, Prof. A. W. Sjjan- 

 lioofd, T. W. Stanton, John J. Stephens, Capt. C. A. Stevens, Dr Chas. 

 Swisher, Lt. Comdr. E. D. Taussig, U. S. N., Hon. E. O. Wolcott, U. S. S. 



December SO.— Geo. II. Baker, ,Tas. A.Barwick, Marcus \V. I'.ates, .lolni I). 

 Blagden, W. L. Blunt, H. B. Boyer, A. von Breuning, Prof. J. P. Byrne, 

 Henry Calver, Prof. R. A. l>obie, Dr Geo. A. Dor.sey, Prof. J. Fairbanks, 

 Count A. Goetzen (German Embassy), Prof. R. R. N. Gould, Arpad CJross- 

 mann, Hon. F. M. Hatch (Hawaiian Minister), F2dwin B. Hay, Med. 

 Director A. A. Hoehling, U. S. N., Corliss W. Lay, Prof. E. H. Mark, 

 Frank E. Pyne, Prof. A. \V. Riggs, James A. Scott, Dr Z. X. Snyder, 

 Joseph Stewart. 



THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY 



SYNOPSIS OF A COURSE OF LECTURES ON THE EFFECTS OF 



GEOGR.\PHIC ENVIRONMENT IN DEVELOPING THE 



CIVILIZATION OF THE WORLD 



The National Geographic Society has for several sea.cons given three 

 courses of lectures, a technical course and two popular cour.«es ; the former 

 by othcersof the Army and Navy and distinguish&d scientists in different 

 departments of the Government, the latter by leading exponents of origi- 

 nal investigation of subjects i)ertaining to geographic research. 



It is the intention that each speaker in the popular cour.se shall be a 

 recognized authority on the subject treated by him, and that each lecture 

 shall be illustrated by stereopticon views, which have been found to ad<l 

 not only to the interest but also to tlie value of the lectures. 



The average attendance at the ])opular lectures has increased .steadily 

 from 500 in 189o-94 to 800 m lSi)4-<)o, and to 1,000 in 1805-90. The 

 audience is composed of members of the Society and their friends, com- 

 prising many of the most cultured residents of Washington, senators and 

 representatives, .scientists and students. The second course of lectures 

 has been held on Monday afternoons. Two years ago the sui)ject was a 

 trip over the Northern Pacific Railroad to the Pacific ocean, returning via 

 San Francisco, the caiions of the Colorado, and the Rocky mountains. 

 Last year it was a trip through Canada and the inland passage to Alaska. 



For the popular course of 189()-97 the subject selected is the effects 

 of geographic environment in d(^>veloping the civilization of the world. 

 The course opens with prehistoric man and the beginnings of history, 

 and passes on to the period of our earliest definite knowledge in th<)se 

 countries where the history of our race begins. At this epoch geographic 



