ASIA. 677 



the calcareous remains of molluscs is readily explained by the formation of large 

 quantities of carbonic acid gas during the process of carbonization. In accepting 

 the marine origin of coal it is not necessary to resort to the assumption of im- 

 mense pressure and high temperatures to explain decomposition and the total de- 

 struction of the structure of the original substance. Dr. Muck combats Fremy's 

 bog theory at length. His views are well supported by recent investigations 

 made by Herr P. F. Reinsch, who has examined 1,200 sections of coal, coming 

 to the conclusion that that mineral substance has not been formed by the altera- 

 tion of accumulated land plants. Herr Reinsch claims to have discovered that 

 coal consists of microscopical organic forms of a low order of protoplasm ; and 

 though he carefully examined the cells and other remains of plants of a higher 

 order, he computed that they have contributed only a fraction of the matter of 

 the coal veins, however numerous they may be in some instances. — Journal of 

 Applied Chemistry. 



GEOGRAPHY. 



{Translated from V Exploration, December 15, 1881, Ay ^. L. Berthoud.) 



ASIA. 



FROM THE FRENCH OF SEVERTSOF. 



The Pamir or Roof of the World. — Mr. Severtsof, an eminent Rus- 

 sian explorer, has ascertained that the " Pamir" is not a plateau in the absolute 

 sense of that word. 



It is traversed by rivers flowing at an altitude of 14,000 feet in valleys no- 

 where exceeding thirteen miles in width. This same peculiarity is also noticed 

 in the Tien Chan Mountains, and in Thibet, where we find narrow valleys or 

 enormous elevations. 



In the " Pamir" there is no table land where we find mountains 6,000, or 

 7,000 feet high above the level of these valleys. The orographic system of the 

 Pamir includes numerous peaks which attain an elevation of 19,000 feet, and 

 three groups of mountains which reach an elevation of 25,000 feet above sea 

 level. 



The Russians in Kashgar. — A commercial caravan conducted by Mr. 

 Dalgleish, a Russian merchant, reached Yarkand on the 8th of September, 1881. 



The caravan has been cordially received by the Governor of Kashgar, who 

 gave to Mr. Dalgleish authority to reside in the city and sell his merchanise in all 

 the province of Kashgar. 



