1866.] Russian Geographical Operations in Asia. 83 
a remarkable Memoir on the question of the variations of the level 
of the Caspian Sea. The same pergons who carried on these hydro- 
graphic operations in 1863, continued them in 1864. At the begin- 
ning of the year, the Surveyors were concentrated in the southern 
parts of the sea, between Bakow and Lenkoran, a region bristling 
with rocks and voleanic islands. From January up to May, they 
explored and fixed the positions of several isolated volcanic reefs, 
which, as they undergo frequent change from the action of subterra- 
nean forces, often become very dangerous to navigators, and conse- 
quently require frequent soundings and examinations. The materials 
thus collected, regarding this volcanic region, may some day serve as 
valuable contributions towards the composition of a complete mono- 
graph of this extremity of the Caucasus. 
In the month of May, the hydrographic expedition crossed over to 
the eastern shore, between Tub-Karagane and the gulf of Karabougaz. 
During the subsequent five months, an extent of more than 200 
verstes was surveyed and sounded, chiefly between the isthmus of 
Manguich-lac and the gulf of Krasnovodsk, under the command of 
Lieut. Phillippow and Lieut. Dournew of the Pilot Corps. Sound- 
ings were also taken by Lieut. Onlsky, in the middle of the Caspian 
Sea, with‘an apparatus specially constructed for bringing up specimens 
of the different soils, and the fossil and animal life they contain. 
In June and July Captain Phillipow’s party explored the entrance 
to the gulf of Karabougaz. At the same time, Lieut. Staritzki made 
some interesting observations on the speed of an uninterrupted current 
of water directing its course through the Gulf towards the Sea. 
The object of these observations was to determine the quantity of 
water which enters the gulf of Karabougaz, and the quantity of saline 
particles which is brought there. The exploration of the mouth of 
the Karabougaz will serve as a basis for a complete study of this 
interesting gulf. It is the opinion of M. Baer, the Academician, that 
this study will lead to a solution of the question regarding the varia- 
tions of saltness in the Caspian Sea. No one will doubt the economi- 
cal importance of this question, which is intimately connected with 
the future fisheries of the Caspian. The results of the hydrogra- 
phic operations are developing gradually, and are partly published. 
In addition to the maps and plans of different parts of this sea 
