798 
the Abruzzi. The Duke undertook, at his own 
expense, in 1897, an expedition to Mount St. 
Elias in northwest America, which he for the 
first time ascended to its summit, 18,060 feet 
above sea level (July 31, 1897). In 1898 he 
organized, again at his own expense, an expedi- 
tion towards the North Pole by the Franz Josef 
Land route. The expedition made a success- 
ful voyage to Franz Josef Land, where winter 
quarters were established. During the winter 
the Duke organized a sledge expedition to the 
north, and, being incapacitated by frost-bite 
from leading it in person, entrusted the com- 
mand to Captain Cagni, who succeeded in 
reaching the highest latitude yet attained by 
man—86° 33/ or 22’ beyond Nansen’s furthest. 
By this journey over the frozen ocean Captain 
Cagni disproved the existence of the land 
shown on the maps to the north of Franz Josef 
Land, the northern parts of which were for 
the first time accurately surveyed. The 
scientific work of the expedition included 
determinations of positions by astronomical 
observations, observations of the state and dis- 
tribution of the ice, investigation of the me- 
teorological and tidal phenomena, the aurora 
borealis, gravity, and the geology of the lands 
visited. The patrons’ medal was awarded 
to Dr. A. Donaldson Smith, who in 1894 
organized at his own expense an expe- 
dition for purposes of exploration between 
Shebel river and Lake Rudolf, which had 
at that time never been reached from the 
north. Starting from Berbera in July, 1894, he 
pushed southeast to the headwaters of the 
Shebel, on which he threw much new light, 
made a wide circuit to the south, crossing the 
Jub, and making his way westward to Lakes 
Stefanie and Rudolf. He explored the lower 
course of the Omo,skirted the east shores of Lake 
Rudolf and, striking southeast through hitherto 
unknown districts to the Tana river, reached 
the east coast, having thus traversed the whole 
extent of the Somali and Galla countries from 
north to south. In 1898 he organized a new 
African expedition for the purpose of com- 
pleting his former work. Leaving Berbera 
in August, 1888, he again reached the north 
end of Lake Rudolf, making en route con- 
siderable rectifications of the map ; and, con- 
SCIENCE. 
[N. S. Vou. XIII. No. 333. 
tinuing his march westward, crossed for the 
first time the unknown tract of country 
lying between Lake Rudolf and the Upper 
Nile. Throughout his journey he executed a 
careful route survey, carrying a triangulation 
through from Somaliland to the vicinity of the 
Nile, and supporting this by frequent astro- 
nomical observations with theodolite and 
chronometers. The other awards were made 
to Mr. Louis Bernacchi and Captain Colbech 
for their aid in the Southern Cross Antarctic 
expedition, and to Captain Cagni for his journey 
to 86° 33’ N., on the Duke of the Abruzzi’s 
expedition. 
PROFESSOR WILLIAM RAMSAY has issued a 
report on the subject of the proposed institute 
for post-graduate education, which a wealthy 
Parsee, Mr. Tata, recently offered to endow. 
This report, according to the London Times, 
states that the institute should be placed with 
reference to the situation of raw products ; its 
site should be where the climate admits of 
energetic work during most of the year ; and it 
should, if possible, be near a coalfield or some 
source of electric power. Bangalore is selected 
as an ideal site ; for the Mysore State is rich in 
minerals (iron, gold, magnesite, manganese ore, 
corundum, &c.), and sugar-cane and the poppy 
are cultivated there. The climate is temper- 
ate, the place is easily accessible, and the 
Cauvery Falls can provide enough power for 
many factories. The Mysore Government have 
offered land for the institute, and would prob- 
ably aid the scheme with pecuniary support in 
recognition of the benefits which would accrue 
to the State from its operations. Professor 
Ramsay discusses the salaries, period of office, 
vacations, duties and restrictions of members 
of the staff, and the method of appointment to 
chairs. He suggests that mechanics should be 
engaged to make apparatus and to teach the 
students to use their hands. A mechanician in 
brass and iron and a glass-blower might be 
procured who could train native boys to be- 
come skilled workmen capable of constructing 
apparatus and machinery as the work of the 
institute increases. Students should be se- 
lected from Indian colleges and should be 
graduates in science, except those who come 
from engineering colleges. The students would 
