406 Chronicles of Science. [July. 



urges his own countrymen to carry off the glory of the discovery 

 from other contending nations. 



A Peruvian expedition has been exploring the south-western 

 tributaries of the Amazons with some success. Several of these 

 rivers have been found navigable ; but the tribes amidst which they 

 flow are cannibal and bellicose. The explorers arrived within 400 

 miles of the Pacific coast, and it is hoped that it will be possible, 

 by means of a railway, to open up traffic between the two oceans. 

 The fish of this mighty stream and its tributaries have been sub- 

 jected to the researches of Professor Agassiz. He finds in the main 

 stream as many as 2,000 different species, several of which are 

 highly useful. Of these, nearly 200 kinds — more than the whole 

 Mississippi can produce — were to be obtained within a few yards 

 of one another. 



According to an American paper, an attempt has been made — 

 which however was not entirely successful, even if we trust the 

 high-flown language of the traveller who narrates it — to ascend 

 Orizaba, the highest mountain in Mexico, close to one of the 

 last places of retreat of the unfortunate emperor. Very accurate 

 numbers are avoided by the writer, but he professes to have 

 advanced to a greater height than 16,000 feet, when the party was 

 stopped by the general fatigue, and by the fall and injury of their 

 leader. Farther north the great lakes are affording a problem not 

 easy of solution. The huge stream of the St. Lawrence flows 

 from them, but they are fed by only a few insignificant streams. 

 Whence comes all this body of water ? Is it from subterranean 

 sources ? and if so, where can so vast a drainage be collected ? 



Mr. E. Whymper, of the Alpine Club, is going to Greenland 

 to try whether his experience in Switzerland will enable him to 

 make some ascents of mountains which will give more scientific 

 results than those commonly undertaken by members of the club. 



In Europe but little has taken place of geographical interest, 

 except that the volcanic system of the Mediterranean has been for 

 some little time in a state of considerable activity, giving indications 

 of changes in the earth's surface. A good account of the Sclavonic 

 provinces of Turkey is given by Messrs. G. Muir Mackenzie and 

 A. P. Irby* in a heavy but useful book. 



In anticipation of the medals of our own Society being given to 

 foreigners, the Geographical Society of Paris has presented Sir Samuel 

 Baker with its gold medal for the current year. The Academy of 

 Sciences has elected Iff. d'Abbadie to the chair of Geography after 

 a close contest. A sum of 4,000 francs has been laid aside by 

 Mme. Guevineau, sister of the traveller Lalande, to be presented 

 to the traveller who shall have been most instrumental in improv- 

 ing human food. 



* ' The Turks, Greeks, and Slavons.' Bell & Daldy. 



