Dr. Buchan has studied the Variations of the Winds on Ben Nevis with particular attention, and the results he has obtained, which are published in the Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, vol. xxxiv., constitute a complete account of the movements of the air on that mountain and, in particular, of the effect of wind-pressure on the barometer.

The Central Committee has forwarded an invitation to the ninth Geographical Congress, to be held in Vienna on the 1st, 2d, and 3d of April 1891. The chief subjects of discussion will be the Present State of Geographical Knowledge of the Balkan Peninsula and the Investigation of Inland Lakes. Geographical Instruction will also receive attention. A Geographical Exhibition in connection with the Congress is announced.

Mr. Henniker Heaton has received a telegram from Australia announcing the returns for the mail under the new Cheap Ocean Postage regulations. From Melbourne 18,791 letters were despatched, as against 8920 by the former mail. The other Australian colonies also show an increase in the number of letters sent varying from 20 to 50 per cent. The Postmaster-General reports that the increase in the outgoing mail has been very marked.

Instead of the route to the Mékong from Moulmein to Luang Prabang, English promoters now propose to construct a Railway from Bangkok through Korat to Lakong on the upper and navigable course of the Mékong. The Revue Française (March 1st, 1891) considers it the most practical way of solving the difficulties connected with the navigation of this river, and suggests that the French should make a line from Touron to Kwang-tri and thence to Pnom, the lowest point at which the river is navigable.

Much interesting and instructive information is contained in Monsieur J. Thoulet's L'Étude des Lacs en Suisse. The author treats of the configuration of their basins, the laws relating to seiches, the chemical ingredients of their waters, etc., and describes the instruments and methods employed by the Swiss hydrographers in their observations. The living inhabitants of the lakes are also discussed, both [fish and the small organisms which affect the salubrity of the water. In short, the pamphlet is a record of scientific knowledge relating to the lakes as they now exist.

This year a school for the practical Training of Travellers is to be opened at Genoa in connection with the Royal University of that town. The students who attend it will receive instruction in geography, geology, botany, geodesy, and other subjects, a knowledge of which will enable them to make scientific observations and form collections of natural objects in distant lands. Admission to the school will be granted to those provided with a certificate from a technical or nautical lyceum, on payment of an annual fee of 20 lire (16s.).—Bull. della Sec. Fiorentina della Soc. Afr. d' Italia.

The German Government have chosen Dar-es-Salaam for the capital of its possessions in East Africa. It is situated on the coast nearly on the latitude of the southern point of the island of Zanzibar, and is one of the few thoroughly sheltered ports between Cape Guardafui and Delagoa Bay. The water is deep enough to allow warships to enter safely, and a few rocks, which now somewhat obstruct the approach, may be removed by dynamite. According to the Mouvement Géographique, it requires little to make it an excellent port and the entrepôt for the commerce of this part of Africa.

Recent Excavations at Luxor have had highly interesting results. Three galleries were discovered and cleared at the bottom of a shaft 48 feet in depth. One of the galleries was empty, but the others contained 152 mummies, all intact, 149 of which belonged to the twentieth dynasty and 2 to the nineteenth dynasty. There were also discovered 110 cases containing statuettes and votive offerings, 77 papyri, and statues of Isis, Nepthis, and Osiris, as well as other valuable and highly interesting remains. M. Grebaut catalogued the whole collection, after which it was safely transferred to barges for transport to Cairo.

The Fifth Session of the International Congress of Geologists will be held at Washington, U.S.A., on August 26. The Committee of Organisation will endeavour to obtain from the steamship companies a reduction of rates in favour of foreign members, and will make arrangements for a series of geological excursions. They request, therefore, that those who intend to be present at the Congress will communicate with them as early as possible. The annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the Summer Meeting of the Geological Society of America will be held in Washington the week before the Congress.

A Committee for the investigation of questions relating to Emigration and Immigration has just been formed at Paris under the presidency of M. Levasseur. Its object is to devise a scheme of international law for the protection of emigrants who settle in colonies not belonging to the country of their origin, and, if possible, to call together a diplomatic conference, at which the various States should elaborate a common code of regulations. The committee will confine itself exclusively to scientific and philanthropic objects, and will abstain from all attempts to direct the flow of emigration to or from any particular country and from any interference with settlers in a colony of their mother-country.—Revue Française, March 1st, 1891.

The Administration Report of Bombay states that, during the year 1889-90, 1585 sq. miles of country were topographically surveyed by the Gujarat party, and that the Mahratta party surveyed topographically 1372 sq. m., triangulated 1200, and traversed 1540. Of the whole cultivable area of the Presidency, amounting to 25,900,000 acres, nearly 24,500,000 are now under cultivation, 138,534 acres having been taken up during the year. The trade of the port of Bombay continued to expand, though not so markedly as in the previous year. The value of the foreign trade was about £58,930,000, and the increase nearly 5 per cent. of the value for the preceding year. The total length of railways open to traffic was extended from 5125 to 5366 miles, and 305 miles were added to the telegraph lines, making a total of 4917 miles.

Our Hon. Corresponding Member, Monsieur de Margerie, has sent us two pamphlets, the one on the structures of the Corbières, the other on the Geology of Andalusia and the earthquake of December 25, 1884. Their contents are chiefly interesting to geologists. It may, however, be mentioned that M. de Margerie finds in the Lower Pyrenees evidence of the existence, in the Oligocene period, of a connection with the highlands of Provence and the Alps across the area now occupied by the Gulf of Lyons. The Géologie de l'Andalusie is a résumé of the report of the French mission under M. Fouqué. The epicentre of the earthquake was in the neighbourhood of the fault lying between the Sierra Nevada and the Sierra Tejeda. M. Fouqué estimated the velocity of propagation of the shocks at 5200 feet per second, and the depth of the centre of disturbance at nearly 7 miles, but admits that the data were too scanty and the methods too untrustworthy to give reliable results.

NEW BOOKS.

Reisen in Kleinasien and Nordsyrien. Von KARL HUMANN and OTTO PUCHSTEIN. One vol. 8vo text, pp. 424, with 49 Illustrations, and an Atlas in folio with 3 Maps, by H. Kiepert, and 53 Plates. Berlin D. Reimer, 1890.

In this book we have an account (1) by Dr. K. Humann of the expedition organised in 1882 by the Berlin Government for the purpose of making a cast of the great inscription which was engraved on the walls of a temple dedicated in the Galatian capital to the worship of Rome and Augustus; (2) by Dr. Puchstein of the expedition in 1882 to investigate the reported discovery of a wonderful monument on the top of a mountain near the Euphrates in Commagene; (3) by Dr. Humann of the expedition made in 1883 to examine the monument more accurately and completely; (4) by Dr. Puchstein of this monument, and of others discovered in the course of the expedition.

The first thought that must occur to every mind is of admiration for the enterprise and many-sided interest shown by the German administration. It is impossible in view of expeditions like these for any educated mind to grudge Germany its present lofty position in the councils of Europe. That position is not won merely by "blood and iron," but by liberal arts; and it is supported by constant expenditure of money and brains, not merely on a vast army but on magnificent projects in literature and science. The review of his own achievements, made by the Emperor Augustus towards the close of his long life, has been known for centuries to be engraved on the antæ of the temple at Angora ; but the imperfect copies by Tournefort, Macdonald Kinneir, Texier, and Hamilton were only sufficient to show that it was the most important historical inscription in existence. A vain attempt by Dr. Mordtmann in 1859, at the expense and under the direction of the Berlin Academy, and a partially successful attempt by M. Perrot in 1861, at the expense of Napoleon III., might have satisfied the wishes or cooled the enterprise of most nations, but only nerved the German Mommsen to have the thing done thoroughly as soon as the proper man could be found. The excavation of Pergamos revealed the man, and in 1880 the expedition to Angora was resolved on. Two German expeditions and a French one to copy a single inscription may seem to British taste a disproportionate expenditure, but the fact remains that two nations much poorer in purse than ours did not grudge the outlay.

We quote Professor Mommsen's brief description of the two German expeditions (Hermes 22, p. 302) to prove the accuracy of our statement. "The Academy charged in 1859 the late Dr. Mordtmann with the revision both of the 'Charter of of Orcistus' and of the Augustan memorial at Ancyra. But this expedition proved in all respects a failure. The work at Ancyra left everything of importance to be done by later travellers, and the stone at Orcistus was not even found. ... One has not in old age the fulfilment of everything that one hopes for in youth; but in this case the proverb has proved true for me. Our debt to Humann at Ancyra is known to all; and the unsuccessful attempt of our countryman at Orcistus has been carried out with brilliant result by the skill and energy of my friend Professor Ramsay, now in Aberdeen."

The history of the two Commagenian expeditions is almost equally remarkable. The first was made to investigate the truth of a report as to the existence, the second to measure, survey, and describe completely the remains, of the wonderful monument on the summit of the Nemrud Dagh. Unfortunately, in spite of its great size and wonderful character, neither can its artistic value compare for a moment with Humann's discoveries at Pergamos nor its historical importance with

that of the Angora inscription. The monument commemorates an insignificant king of Commagene (North Syria), named Antiochus, who reigned 69-34 B.C. It takes the form of a tumulus about 500 feet in diameter and 170 feet in height, perched on the peak of the Nemrud Dagh, over 7000 feet above sea-level. On the east and the west sides of the tumulus are rows of colossal statues, representing Helios, Commagene, Zeus, Antiochus himself, and Heracles. The style of art is Greek, slightly orientalised; the historical value of the long inscription is exceedingly slight; and the monument, in spite of its gigantic size and curious character, is rather one of the disappointments of archæology. The work of examining it, however, had to be done, and could not have been done better.

Such were the chief objects of the expeditions described; but we need hardly say that by the way many other objects were accomplished. The geographical results attained by such a practised surveyor as Dr. Humann were great, and have enabled Professor Kiepert to produce a map of Commagene in such detail as was previously unexampled in any par of Western Asia except perhaps Palestine after the survey of the Exploration Fund. It is impossible even to enumerate the chief results of various kinds in this brief notice. The remarkable sculptures of Sindjirli, which Sir Charles Wilson discovered, and laboured in vain to persuade the British Museum to carry away, did not escape Humann, and now adorn the Berlin Museum.

The style of this publication rouses mingled reflections. Humann's share is described in popular style, in a bright, sparkling, and effective manner, which carries on it the stamp of his own strong individuality. Work of this kind would readily find a publisher, and would command a large sale in England. Puchstein's account of his first expedition consists merely of his road-book, and it appears rather a waste of money to print in such luxurious form such undigested work. His account of the late monuments in Commagene is detailed and derives interest from the extraordinary character and colossal size of the sculptures; but the subject is not one on which the writer could summon up any enthusiasm. His account of the older art, which he, like some English writers, styles "Hittite,” is brief, superficial, and disappointing; while the copies of some of the hieroglyphic inscriptions seem hardly to be entirely trustworthy. The maps and illustrations are excellently produced, with a disregard for expense which contrasts strangely with the poor style in which most work of the kind is done in England, or, still more, with the frequent impossibility of getting it done at all.

A Ride through Asia Minor and Armenia: giving a Sketch of the Characters, Manners, and Customs of both the Mussulman and Christian Inhabitants. By HENRY C. BARKLEY. Pp. x+350. London: Murray. Price 10s. 6d. This is a pleasant volume of travels; that is to say, the usual incidents of the journey are set forth in an intelligent, lively, and agreeable style; the scenery as well as the general character of the country is well described, as are its natural resources, so far as these can be grasped by the passing traveller. For all else-as the action of the Government, the condition of the people, the relations of the different races to each other-the value of the book is considerably impaired by the fact that the journey described took place fourteen years ago, and at a time of more than ordinary social and political dislocation, viz., just after the last Russo-Turkish war. It is interesting, no doubt, to know how matters impressed the traveller in 1877; but the reader would have liked to be informed how far the condition of matters described has since been improved or modified.

The writer was greatly struck by the amount of cultivable land lying waste.

Population, he says, is what is most wanted. Even if all the Turks in Europe were to cross into Asia it would not, he says, make much difference, as tenfold the present numbers could be supported. But though there is much available land on the route he followed, viz., from Brusa to Angora and Kaisarieh, and again in the great plain of Adana between Taurus and the sea, there is also in the Central provinces much that is barren and desert. The Adana region, watered by the rivers Sarus and Pyramus, might, he says, with good government, energy on the part of the people, and absence of fever, be made by irrigation a second Lombardy. The people, however-irrationally, as he thinks-object to irrigation as increasing fever; but Indian experience rather bears out their objection. Mr. Barkley points out that the great fever region is exactly opposite Cyprus, and speculates as to whether the malaria is carried thither across the sea.

Passing through the Cilician Gates into the plains beyond, the travellers, in the month of November, entered on another summer. Their route thence lay by Aintab and the Euphrates to Diarbekir, and thence to Trebizond, the entire route from Cilicia to the mountains above Trebizond passing through a region recklessly denuded of trees, causing a serious deterioration of climate as well as great economic loss. Between Diarbekir and Trebizond they were racing against winter, and towards the end of December narrowly escaped being snowed up in the mountains.

The writer speaks very unfavourably of both Turks and Armenians; he found both, however, uniformly hospitable, and, though the country was full of disbanded and starving soldiers returning from the war, he met with no opposition or violence. All parties, both "honest men and rogues," were longing, he says, for annexation to England!

The spelling of certain foreign words and names might have been corrected with advantage; and the "two chapters" by Mr. Henry Elwes on botany and ornithology, referred to at p. 177 as being at the end of the volume, but which are not to be found there, would undoubtedly have been welcome.

A Modern Apostle: Alexander N. Somerville, D.D. By GEORGE SMITH, C.I.E., LL.D. With Portrait, Map, and Illustrations. London: John Murray, 1890. Pp. ix + 423.

The subject of this memoir may well be designated "A Modern Apostle," for, as St. Paul preached in all the world of the ancients, so he preached in most parts of the globe. He made missionary tours through the chief European countries, crossed over to America twice, and visited South Africa, India, and Australia. At home also he laboured hard in the mission field, conducting revival meetings and sending cheap Bibles into the Highlands; while, as Home Secretary for Foreign Missions, he became, in 1840, the Scottish founder of the Lovedale Institution, where natives of South Africa are trained as catechists and teachers, and prepared to spread civilisation and Christianity among their fellow-countrymen. When we remember that Dr. Somerville also fulfilled for many years the duties of minister of Anderston Free Church, in connection with which he established several institutions for the spiritual improvement of the people, we cannot help being struck with the vast energy he displayed during his ministerial career of more than fifty years. As might be expected from an author of such experience in biographical literature, the work is written in an agreeable style, and the material has been, on the whole, judiciously selected. It is not overloaded with letters narrating trifling domestic incidents, but those that are inserted, with few exceptions, contain information of general interest, or serve to place in a clearer light the character of the