1 86 [July, 1902.] 
IMPERIAL INSTITUTE JOURNAL. 
Vol. VIII. No. 91. 
THE ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF ENGLAND. 
The usual monthly meeting of the Council of this society was held on the 4th ult., Prince 
Christian (president) in the chair. Amongst those present were the Prince of Wales 
(president-elect), Earl Cawdor, the Earl of Coventry, the Earl of Derby, the Earl of Jersey, 
and Earl Spencer. 
The President, in moving that the letter, dated May 7, 1902, from the Prince of Wales 
accepting the office of president of the society, be entered upon the minutes, said he was 
sure he was expressing the feelings of the Council when he said how much gratified they were 
that the Prince of Wales had accepted the office of president of the society for the ensuing year. 
The motion was unanimously agreed to. Mr. Plerrnan G. Kleinwort was elected a governor 
of the society, and 19 duly nominated candidates were admitted into the society as members. 
On the motion of Sir Nigel Kingscote (chairman of the Finance Committee), the 
secretary was authorized to issue to any duly nominated candidate on receipt of a remittance 
for £ 1 (the amount of the annual subscription of a member) a special ticket entitling such 
candidate to the same privileges as a member during the meeting held at Carlisle from July 5-1 1 
next. 
Lord Derby reported from the General Carlisle Committee that the programme for the 
show had been settled that morning. The implement department and dairy only would be 
opened on Saturday, July 5, at a charge of is. each person. All departments of the show 
would open on Monday, July J, when the judging of live stock, poultry, and produce would 
take place. On July 8, 9, 10 and n, there would be daily parades in the large ring of cattle 
and heavy horses in the morning, beginning at II am., and of light horses, followed by horse- 
jumping competitions in the afternoon, beginning at 2 pm. Butter-making and horse-shoeing 
competitions would be held on the Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. 
The Secretary said that numerous letters had reached him from Agents-General and 
others anouncing the intention of representatives of their colonies, who would shortly be arriv- 
ing in London for the Coronation ceremonies, to inspect the society’s show at Carlisle. 
Lord Derby reported on behalf of the Journal Committee that a letter had been received 
from the Meteorological Office, enclosing a copy of a circular intimating that the Meteorological 
Council would supply during the ensuing hay and corn harvest season daily telegraphic fore- 
casts of the weather to persons desirous of receiving them upon payment of the cost of the 
telegrams. 
Mr. Wheeler presented a report by the society’s consulting botanist (Mr. William 
Carruthers, F.R.S.) upon a widespread injury in Herefordshire to plum trees, the young twigs 
dying off, and the cause of the injury being the parasitic fungus Mon ilia fructigena Pers. The 
report recommended that the dead twigs should be removed and burnt, the most important 
time for attending to the matter being in the autumn. 
The ITon Cecil T. Parker brought up a report presented to the Veterinary Committee 
by Professor McFadyean with reference to the contagious diseases of animals. The report 
stated that during the last four weeks outbreaks of anthrax had numbered 56, and the animals 
attacked 94, as against 54 outbreaks and 63 animals attacked in the corresponding four weeks 
of last year. During the same four weeks there had been 66 outbreaks of glanders notified, 
with 120 animals attacked. The corresponding figures for last year were 108 and 196 
respectively. Two cases of rabies had been reported since the last meeting of the committee, 
one in the county of Devon and the other in Pembroke. This raised the total number of 
cases since the beginning of the year to 11. The reports with regard to swine fever continued 
to be very favourable, only 152 outbreaks having been notified during the past four weeks as 
against 478 outbreaks during the corresponding period of last year. No further cases had 
been detected of foot-and-mouth disease, and it might reasonably be concluded that the 
country was again free from the disease. During the past winter it had been ascertained that 
on several farms in different parts of the country considerable numbers of sheep had died from 
black quarter (quarter evil, or “ strike ”), and it had therefore been considered advisable to carry 
out at the Royal Veterinary College a series of experiments to ascertain whether the method of 
protective inoculation which had been largely practised in the case of young cattle might with 
safety be applied to sheep. The experiments were not yet completed, but those already carried 
out had yielded results very favourable to the operation, both in respect of safety and 
efficiency. 
Lord Moreton, from the Education Committee, reported that the third examination for 
the national diploma in agriculture had been held by the National Agricultural Board at the 
Yorkshire College, Leeds, from May 5 to 8 last, when 67 out of 69 candidates presented them- 
selves. Twenty six candidates passed part 1,, qualifying them to sit for part n. in 1903 or 
1904, and ten candidates obtained the national diploma. 
On the motion of Mr. Frankish (chairman of the Implement Committee) it was resolved 
to offer prizes of £50 and £20 for wind engines for pumping purposes in connection with the 
society’s meeting of 1903, the trials to take place in the London showyard in the months of 
March and April next year, and the entries to be made by January next. On the motion of 
Sir Nigel Kingscote, it was resolved that a special committee be appointed to consider 
the arrangements to be made for the show of 1903. 
The Council adjourned until Wednesday, July 9. 
THE ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY. 
“THROUGH SOUTLIERN ABYSSINIA.” 
At the meeting of the Royal Geographical Society on the 9th ult., a paper was read by 
Mr. Oskar Neumann describing a journey from the Somali coast, through Southern 
Abyssinia, to the Sudan, Sir Clements R. Markham presided. Mr. Neumann said 
that the expedition started from Varrad on May 22, 1900. On the 23rd the village of 
Biaworaba, Paulitschke's furthest point in this direction, was reached, and the country of the 
Enia was entered. The people spoke a Galla dialect, but were nomads, like the Somali. 
Mr. Neumann described the country onwards to the land of the Arusi, where the 
expedition struck the route of Dr. Donaldson, which was followed to the sacred town of 
Sheikh Htisein, In accordance with orders from Menelek, the party proceeded to Adis 
Abeba, and, on the way, came to Mount Abulkassim, which was held sacred by the people 
of Sheikh Ilusein. Although it had«been sighted by the Italian explorer Traversi, it had not 
before been visited by Europeans. It contained caverns, sometimes occupied by Mahomedan 
pilgrims, as well as the grave of Sheikh Abulkasim, a descendant of Sheikh Husein. 
Adis Abeba was reached on August 14, and free permission was obtained to travel 
anywhere in the Abyssinian dominions. Owing to the time which had already been spent on 
the journey it was decided to divide the caravan. It was arranged that Baron Erlanger 
should return by another route to Sheikh Husein and make thence for Lake Rudolf, and that 
Mr. Neumann should explore the highlands of Shoa proper, and afterwards make his way 
west to the Sudan. 
In the remainder of the paper Mr. Neumann gave an interesting description of the 
country which he passed through. In the valley of the Blue Nile, to which his party 
descended from the edge of the plateau at Abuye, an Abyssinian fort, they were terribly 
bitten by mosquitoes, but only one, who had refused to take quinine, suffered from malaria. 
In Uba, where a fort had been built by Count LeontiefFs officers, glanders broke out among 
the animals, and the disease appeared to be endemic on the northern feeders of Lake Stefanie. 
In Kosha and Konta, north of the Omo, the party found the slave trade in full swing, 
children being offered for sale at the weekly markets, probably owing to the recent famine. 
When the party arrived at the river Akobo (Ajuba) they were in a sorry plight. 
Provisions were nearly exhausted, game was scarce, and the glanders had again broken out 
among the animals ; but the situation was saved by the opportune arrival of an Egyptian 
steamer with Slatin Pasha and Colonel Bluett on board, and the expedition was given a 
passage to Khartum, arriving there on June 15 last year. 
The scientific results of the expedition were briefly summed up as follows : — In 
Somaliland the route of Paulitschke was connected with that of Dodaldson Smith, and both 
were linked with the surveys of Traversi, Ragazzi, and Stecker in Southern Shoa. In Shoa 
the country between Adis Abeba and the Blue Nile was surveyed for the first time, while 
during the southward journey along the eastern side of the rift valley the lake system between 
Zwai and Abaya was for the first time elucidated. In Kafifa and neighbouring countries, 
where the route led midway between those of Wellby, Bottego, and Austin in the south, and 
of De Bonchamps and Marchand in the north, the maps of Cecchi and Rorrelli were 
corrected, and the watershed between the Nile and the Omo was defined. Ethnologically, 
light -was thrown on the distribution of the Semitic, Hamitic, anil Bantu elements, especially 
by the investigation of the Semitic enclave of the Argobba south of Harar, the interesting 
tribes of the Walamo and Sidamo in the region of the lakes and the Omo, and the northern 
extension of the Bantu, as represented by the Gardulla, Doko, and, further west, the Shuro, 
Binesho, and Sheko. Ethnological collections and studies of the languages were also 
made. 
As regards geology, the discovery of fossils of upper Jurassic age (north of the Wabi), 
and, still more, that of Cretaceous strata in the Gillet Mountains, was of interest. The belt 
of country from Abulkasim and Abu Nas to the Blue Nile and the headstreams of the Sobat 
consists for the most part of Tertiary volcanic rocks, the date of the formation of the rift 
valley — formerly occupied in its northern part by a great lake basin as is shown by 
molluscs found on the Suksuk river- — belonging also probably to the Tertiary period. Gneiss 
with quartzite was found at about 3,000 feet in several places on the Blue Nile and Omo. 
A large collection of rock specimens was made. 
Between Zeila and Adis Abeba Dr. Ellenbeck made a collection of some 2,500 botanical 
specimens, and, after separating from the rest of the party, Mr. Neumann obtained, single- 
handed, some 200 plants. His chief work, in addition to the geographical survey, was, 
however, zoological research, and his zoological collections were the largest that had ever 
come to Europe from Africa at one time. 
Five distinct faunal regions might be defined in the country traversed : — (1) Northern 
Somaliland showed, especially near the coast, strong signs of palrearctic influence. {2) The 
Galla countries south of Harar, though showing much resemblance to the former group, were 
entirely without this element. Both of these groups contained forms not found in other 
African faunal regions. (3) The fauna of the Abyssinian highlands, first made known by 
Riippel, stretched north-west from the tableland of Didda, with an eastern extension as far as 
Harar on the IJawash-Webi divide, many Abyssinian birds being found on the Gara Mulata, 
south-west of Harar. In the lake region a mixture of Abyssinian and Somaliland forms 
occurred, with others previously known only from British and German East Africa. (4) On 
the Omo the fauna was marked by the presence of a large number of West African forms, 
while (5) the true lowland fauna of the Sudan was met with on passing the Gurafarda range. 
Mr. Neumann’s collection included 1,000 specimens of mammals, 1,300 of birds, 30,000 of 
insects, 2,000 mollusca, besides reptiles, fishes, etc. Twelve mammals and ten birds had 
already been described as new. 
On the 16th ult. Dr. M. A. Stein read a paper on “ Geographical and Archaeological 
Explorations in Chinese Turkestan.” Sir Clements Markham presided. Dr. Stein said 
that the idea of explorations about Khotan was suggested by the discoveries of M. de Rhins, 
the French explorer, and Dr. Sven Hedin’s march of 1895, which was first made known in 
1898. With the help of the Indian Government, Dr. Stein was enabled to set out in April, 
1900, and reached the capital of the Hunza chief in June. In that city the carved woodwork 
exhibited the features of old Indian decoration, while in the Mir’s residence the furniture and 
fittings were Chinese in type. 
Arriving at Tashkurghan, Dr. Stein was enabled to prove the identity of the territory of 
Kir-p’an-to with the modern Sarikol. A fresh Start was made from Kashgar in September, 
and Khotan was reached in October. From this point a survey was made of the Yurung- 
lcash, flowing between ranges of lofty peaks of 23,000 feet high, and connected with certain 
recognised peaks in the Indian triangulation. 
After beginning excavations in December, the first find of importance was some leaves of 
manuscript in Sanskrit, which might be assigned to the sixth century. In addition, there 
were documents in non-Indian characters, which represented the indigenous tongue of 
Khotan. The discovery of Chinese writings dated 778-787, as well as coins of about 720, 
seems to show that Dandan Uiliq was abandoned at the end of the eighth century. The 
district was probably irrigated by canals bringing the hill water to the desert, and no 
adequate cause could be assigned for its desertion. An older town was discovered in the 
desert nortli of Iman Jafar, where tablets were unearthed bearing the ancient Indian script 
Kharoshthi. 
The area over which ruins are scattered is about eleven miles by four, and the buildings were 
constructed in a massive style of beams of wood and plaster, which has served to keep the 
tablets in a high state of preservation. There were also pieces of pottery of great antiquarian 
interest, and writing in various writings. The clay seals with which the tablets were 
fastened show the influence of Western arts, and include figures of Pallas Athene, Eros, and 
portraits with classical modelling and barbarian features. 
The discoveries corroborate the evidence of early Chinese explorers that these lands were 
colonised by immigrants from the Punjab about 200 n.c. This district must have been 
deserted before the fourth century, as there were no signs of writing on paper, which became 
common in Turkestan at that date. At Rawak a remarkable series of statues in stucco and 
smaller relievos between was discovered, which had evidently been painted as well as carved. 
These showed a close affinity to the Grreco-Buddhist sculptures of the North-West Frontier of 
India. Returning to Khotan, Dr. Stein obtained a confession from Islam Akhun, who had 
sold a great number of manuscripts in unknown characters, that these works were entirely 
forgeries. 
Indo-European Telegraph Department. — The administration report of this department for 
1900-1901 has just been issued. The total capital outlay to the end of that year was .£771,680, 
and the net result of the year's working was a profit of £60,580, representing a dividend of 7*85 per 
cent. There was no interruption of traffic between Teheran and Karachi during the year, but 
between Teheran and London the lines were interrupted for a total period of rather over three 
days. There were 560 acts of wilful damage on the Persian section. Soon after his return from 
Europe the Shah issued a firman to the local governors urging the necessity for energetic action 
in protecting the line, but the result has not been satisfactory. Interruptions on the Turkish route 
occurred amounting to about 37 days, and the working of this route continues to be unsatisfactory. 
The Teheran-Meshed line of 568 miles, owned by the Persian Government, but maintained by 
the department, worked smoothly, the interruptions aggregating only 24 hours. The increased 
message revenue of the year was chiefly owing to the war in China. Message statistics show 
that during the five years to March 31, 1901, the average number of messages sent each year 
on behalf of The Times 'N as 186, while the total number of words averaged 44,934, the corre- 
sponding figures for other press messages being 1,108 and 53,235. The Times messages, averaging 
242 words each, therefore, were five times as long as other press messages. The average length 
of commercial messages was 12*95 words. The new convention between England and Persia 
provides that in addition to the existing line from Teheran to India via Bushire, the Persian 
Government shall construct under the supervision of the British Telegraph Staff a three-wire line 
from Kashau to the Baluchistan frontier via Yezd and Kerman, traversing, wherever possible, 
inhabited districts. The Persian Government agrees to lease the use and the transit revenue of 
the line, when completed, to the Indo-European Telegraph Department, which will provide for 
its maintenance and direction, though the line guards are to be Persian subjects. — Times. 
