GEOGRAPHIC NOTES 
ASIA 
Japax. Arrangements are being made for a direct line of steamers to 
run between Japan and the Black sea ports. 
Siberia. The AVest Siberian Eailway has been brought into direct 
communication with the principal railway systems of Europe. 
The expedition sent out by the Russian Geographical Society for the 
exploration of the Irkutsk region will be absent three years. 
AFRICA 
Transvaal. The final count makes the population of Johannesburg, 
according to the recent census, 102,078. Of the 50,907 whites, only 6,205 
were born in the Transvaal. 
Egypt. The reembarkation of the Indian troops for Bombay disposes 
of the statement that the Anglo-Egyptian army would soon continue its 
marcli southward beyond Dongola. 
Up to the end of 1895 900 miles of agricultural roads were completed. 
The construction of a system of light railways for the transportation of 
agricultural produce has also been authorized. 
Xatal. The revenue for the fiscal year 1894-95 was £1,169,780, and 
the expenditures £1 ,148,093. In a recent lecture at the London Imperial 
Institute, Professor Crookes stated that the colony of Natal contains more 
coal than existed in Great Britain before a single ton was raised. 
Tunis. After fourteen years of French occupation Tunis contains only 
3,000 French inhabitants, as compared with 7,000 ^Maltese and 8,000 
Italians. The colonizing efforts of the government have been attended 
with but little success, but French rule is regarded as being in the main 
beneficial. 
AUSTRALASIA 
New South Wales. During the recent session of parliament some 
slight amendments were made in the land laws, with a view to further 
facilitating the settlement of the colony, which is .said to be making re- 
markable progress. 
Victoria. During the last three years the city of iMelbonrne has lost 
40,0fl0 of its population, the prosperity of the agricultural industry of the 
colony alfording superior attractions to the pui-suitH of the caj)ital city. 
The colony of Victoria has shown remarkable energy in opening up an 
extensive exi>ort trade with ( Jreat Britain. The colonial government has 
jiractically a.xsumed control of the traile, and its contracls with (wo of 
the principal lines of steamers enable shipments to he made at extraor- 
dinarily low rates, the charge for butter, cheese, and meat being only U 
III 
