218 
GEOGRAPHIC NOTES 
expeditions to the Barren Grounds of northwest Canada, and the Cuth- 
bert Peck grant to Mr Alfred Sharjje for his many journeys in British 
Central Africa. 
Fk.\xce. According to the recent census, the population of Paris is 
now 2,511,955, an increase of 87,250 in five years. 
The proposed ship canal between the bay of Biscay and the Mediter- 
ranean is pronounced impracticable as a private enterprise, and the com- 
missioners fui'ther report that it offers no such strategic or other advan- 
tages as would justify its construction by the government. 
The activity and influence of the Societe de Geographie de Paris are 
indicated by the fifteen medals and prizes just awarded as follows ; 
1. Great Gold Medal, Prince Henri d’Orleans, Exploration from gulf 
of Tonkin to gulf of Bengal ; 2. Gold Medal, Captain G. Toutee, Ex- 
plorations tlirough Dahomey and on the Niger ; 3. Logerot Medal, Com- 
mander Decoeuer, The Niger Mission; 4. Fournier Medal, L. Romsselet, 
The New Dictionary of Universal Geography ; 5. Malte-Brun Medal, E. 
Chantre, Ethnogi-aphical and archeological investigations in the Caucasus; 
6. JJeicez Medal, F.-J. Clozel, Explorations to the north of Upper Sangha ; 
7. Herbert- Fournel Medal, A. Pavie, Explorations in Indo-China and his 
efforts to extend the power of France in the far East; 8. Bourbonnaud 
Medal, L. Lapicque, Voyage in the Persian gulf and study of the Negritos ; 
9. iJuveyrier Medal, Commander Decazes, Investigations of French Congo 
and surveys north of Abiras; 10. Morot Medal, J, Renaud and C. Rollet 
de L’Jsle, Surveys in the Pai-tsi-long archipelago. Tonkin; 11. Montherot 
Medal, R. de Saint Arroman, Study of geographic enterj)rises of the Min- 
ister of Public Instruction ; 12. Grad Medal, A.-M. Gochet, Works on 
geographic instruction; 13. Huber Medal, F.-A. Forel, Work on lake 
Ixunan and on glaciers ; 14. Jaimen Medal, F. Foureau, Physical observa- 
tions and explorations in the Sahara; 15. Jomard prize, H. Froidevaux, 
Memoirs of travel in French Guya.nne. 
Geu.m.vny. The final report of the census of the German Empire, taken 
December 2, 1895, shows a total population of 52,244,503, an increase of 
nearly three millions within five years. 
The traffic receipts of the North Sea and Baltic Ship Canal have so far 
been vei'y disappointing. A traffic of 7,500,000 tons and receipts of nearly 
5,000,000 marks per annum had been counted on, whereas the first eight 
months’ receipts amounted to only 605,050 marks and rei)resented a tratfic 
of only 976,478 tons. 
It.\i,y. The population of Rome on December 31, 1895, is officially 
reported as 471,801, an increase of 35,621 since December 31, 1891. For 
some unexplained reason no enumeration was made of such of the inhab- 
itants of the city as were without fixed abode, their number being assumed 
to be the same as at the census of 1891, viz., 28,765. The number having 
fixed abodes was 431,881 and the garrison 11,155. 
ASIA 
The French authorities at Chentabun are making a road to Bat- 
tambang and constructing a telegraph line. 
