18G6.] Russian Geographical Operations in Asia. 83 



B remarkable Memoir on the question of the variations of the level 

 of the Caspian Sea. The same persons 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 volcanic 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 

 Mangnicli-lae 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 w T as 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 



