1889.] Geography and Travel. 619 
Lake Issyk-Kul, and covered the chains between it and China. The 
quality of the ice is different from that of the Alps, and the glacial 
flora is better preserved than in the latter. On the north-west slopes 
the plants are the same as those of P^urope at similar heights, but upon 
the south-east slopes the steppe flora rises to 3,000 metres. 
Europe.— The Abruzzi.— The part of Italy known as Abruzzo 
contains about 530 square leagues, and nearly a million inhabitants. 
It extends along the Adriatic for a length of 200 kilometres, from the 
river Tronto to the Trigno, is formed by the central group of the 
Apennines, and contains the highest peaks of that chain. Between the 
Tronto and the Gizio these mountains form a double line, separated 
by a series of the most picturesque valleys. The eastern crest is cut 
through by the Pescara, and is dominated by 11 Gran Sasso d'ltalia 
(2,916 metres), the highest mountain in peninsular Italy. Abruzzo is 
divided into three provinces, now named after their capitals, Christi, 
Teranco, and Aquila, but j)roperly known as Abruzzo Citeriore, 
Abruzzo Ulteriore, and Abruzzo Ulteriore II. Among the high peaks 
of this region are those of Corvo (2626 m.), Malacosta (2,447 m.), 
Franco (2,135 m.), Scindarella (2,237 m.), Paganica (2,097 m.), 
Prena (2,566 m.), and Brancatello (2,387 m.). All these crests and 
peaks, with other lower ones, form an immense grouj), over which 
The Population of Russia.— According to the " Annuaire 
Statistique Russe" for 1885, the present population of the Russian 
Empire is as follows : 
Russia in Europe, 81,725,185 
Government of the Vistula (Poland), .... 7,960,304 
Caucasus, 7,284,547 
Siberia, 4,313.680 
Central Asia, 5,327,098 
Grand Duchy of Finland, 2,176,421 
