obtained of the extent of unexplored countries. Maps of Africa, for instance, are at present constructed on a smaller scale than 1 : 1,000,000, and are covered with a network of rivers and mountains; but when this continent is represented on a larger scale, the blank spaces will become more prominent, and, comparison with civilised countries being rendered possible, the real state of our knowledge of this continent will become apparent. The Seventh International Congress of Hygiene and Demography.-There have been several Congresses this year, but probably none of greater importance, both numerically and scientifically, than the Demographic Congress held in London between August 10th and 17th, under the patronage of Her Majesty the Queen. The civilised nations of the world were represented by delegates, and the members of the Congress numbered nearly three thousand, foreigners being especially numerous. To indicate the scope of the Congress, the various sections may be enumerated. Division I.: Hygiene.-Section I., Preventive Medicine; Section II., Bacteriology; Section III., The relation of the diseases of animals to those of man; Section IV., Infancy, childhood, and school-life; Section V., Chemistry and Physics in relation to Hygiene; Section VI., Architecture in relation to Hygiene; Section VII., Engineering in relation to Hygiene; Section VIII., Naval and Military Hygiene ; Section IX., State Hygiene. Division II.: Demography. H.R.H. the Prince of Wales presided over the inaugural meeting, and gave an admirable opening address. Many papers read at this Congress were of interest to geographers, although of course not exclusively dealing with geography in the limited sense of the term. It is only possible to call attention to a few ::-The methods of preventing the spread of diseases from one country to another, by Surgeon-General J. M. Cuningham; The communicability of cholera from one country to another, by Inspector General R. Lawson; Diphtheria, with special reference to its distribution, etc., by E. C. Seaton, M.D.; The influence of the Nile on mortality in Egypt, by Green Pasha; The prevention of fever in India, by Surgeon-General Sir W. Moore; Observations on malaria and enteric fever, etc. by R. W. Felkin, M.D.; The geographical distribution, etc., of the Filaria Sanguinis Hominis, by Patrick Manson, M.D.; Cholera in Egypt, by Dr. Sandwith; The influenza and weather of London, by Sir Arthur Mitchell and Dr. A. Buchan ; Sanitation in India, by B. Latham; The suitability of tropical Highlands for European settlement, by Surgeon-General Sir W. Moore; On the same, by C. Markham, C.B.; The effect of altitude on the suitability of tropical climates for the permanent residence of European races, by R. W. Felkin, M.D.; The influence of clays and limestones on medical geography, etc., by Dr. A. Haviland. The sections were well attended, and most of the papers gave rise to animated discussions. The entertainment of members was liberally provided for, and numerous conversazioni and garden-parties were given. MISCELLANEOUS. The Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science will meet at Hobart, Tasmania, on 7th January 1892. A railway has just been opened, which runs from Seraievo to Mostar, and places the capital of Bosnia in communication with the Adriatic.-Le Tour du Monde. Nouvelles Géogr. p. 272. An account of the history, manners, and customs of Tibet, derived from Chinese sources, is published in the Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society, January and April 1891. The author is Mr. W. W. Rockhill. The Chinese have evidently decided to construct a Railway to the Frontier of Manchuria. The line from Tien-tsin to Kai-ping has been prolonged to Yung-ping, and work has been commenced at New-chang. Beyond that port the route runs through Mukden and Kirin. At the beginning of July a New Lake sprang suddenly into existence at Salton, Yuma County, Arizona, Its length is 40 miles, and breadth 12 miles. It is generally believed that the water comes from the Gulf of California.-Deutsche Rundschau, Jahrg. xiii. No. 11. The frontier dispute between Colombia and Venezuela has been decided by the King of Spain in favour of the former. The new boundary in the south-west of Venezuela will be formed by the rivers Arauca, Orinoco, Atabapo, and Negro. The peninsula of Goajira and the territory of San Faustino will also belong to Colombia. The name of Tasman Sea for the sea between New Zealand and the islands to the north-west of New Zealand on the one hand, and Australia and Tasmania on the other, has been adopted by the Admiralty, and will be inserted on charts and other publications. The name was suggested by the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science.-The Times, August 14th, 1891. Mr. Theodore Bent is at present engaged in the exploration of the ruins at Zimbabye, Mashonaland, which are among the most unique in the World. The principal is a walled enclosure 260 yards in circumference, with walls 16 feet thick and 40 feet high in some places. A frieze representing a hunting scene and other sculptures have been found. The builders were, Mr. Bent is inclined to think, probably Phoenician Arabs. A Swedish trader, Georg Valdau, has discovered to the west of the Elephant Lake, Cameroons, another lake not much smaller. It is about one and a quarter miles in diameter, and lies about 2300 feet above the sea-level. It is drained by the Mokunda, which flows into the Meme. Herr Valdau named it the Soden Lake, after the ex-Governor of Cameroons (now Governor of East Africa).—Verhandl, der Gesell. für Erdkunde zu Berlin, Bd. xviii. No. 6. A company has been formed to make Copenhagen a Free Port. It is feared that the canal now in course of construction across Holstein, from the North Sea to the Baltic, may neutralise the advantages which Copenhagen has derived from its geographical position. By reducing to a minimum loading and discharging expenses and removing the trammels to trade unavoidably connected with the levying of dues, the promoters of the scheme hope to facilitate and develop such transit-trade as already exists in Copenhagen.-The Times, August 17th. There seems now to be little doubt that, if M. Crampel himself has not been assassinated in Baghirmi, his expedition at least has been put to flight. The Administrator of Brazzaville gives April 9 as the date of the occurrence. Another French traveller also has been repulsed. M. Fourneau had advanced northwards to about the 7th parallel of north latitude, or about 140 miles to the north of the great bend of the Mobangi, when his party was attacked during the night. After losing some of his men, he was obliged to retreat on Brazzaville.-Le Mouvement Géographique, August 9, 1891. NEW BOOKS. De la Colonisation chez les Peuples Modernes. Par PAUL LEROY-BEAULIEU, Membre de l'Institut. Quatrième édition, revue, corrigée et augmentée. Paris Guillaumin et Cie., 1891. Pp. 868. The author of this volume and the volume itself are favourably known to students of political geography and economical science. This is a fourth edition of the book, but it has been so elaborately edited that it may be said to have been largely re-written. Such a work, by so competent a writer as M. Leroy-Beaulieu, is of the highest importance and value. In the first part of the book the author passes under review, and examines in a natural order, the colonial policy of the principal peoples of Europe, from the discovery of America to the present time. The policies of Spain, Portugal, Holland, England, France, Russia, Denmark, and Sweden are traced in considerable detail, and contrasted one with another: the different systems are explained, and their modifications and developments pointed out. The author evinces, in a remarkable degree, the unusual capacity for criticising such a subject from a purely impersonal and academic standpoint. He does not hesitate to apportion blame wherever he finds it: e.g., in his long review of French colonies, but especially Algeria and Tunis, he has some hard things to say of the administrative blunders of his own countrymen. He points to Great Britain as the most successful and most capable of colonial Powers-at least since the commencement of the present century. He draws the proper distinction between exploitation and plantation colonies, and shows how relatively few ideal colonies-those of settlement-have been founded by any other Power than Great Britain. The second part of M. Leroy-Beaulieu's work is, in some respects, the most valuable, though dealing largely with economical subjects. From his examination of the respective merits in the colonial policy of European Powers, he deduces the general principles underlying successful colonisation. The first question he asks is, "Is it good for a nation to have colonies?" Does the possession of colonies argue a true element of development and prosperity, or, on the contrary, does it enfeeble the State by losing her children, and impoverish her by dispersing her capital? His arguments are all in favour of colonisation, but colonisation based upon the true principles of economical science, which he explains from the point of view of the metropolis and from that of the Colonies themselves. Livingstone, and the Exploration of Central Africa. By H. H. JOHNSTON, C.B. "Explorers Series." London: George Philip and Sons, 1891. Pp. 367. Price 4s. 6d. Probably no writer more competent than Mr. Johnston could have been selected for the task of reviewing Dr. Livingstone's work as an explorer. It was Dr. Livingstone, the premier missionary and pioneer-explorer, who "threw open the door" of British Central Africa, the political consolidation of which has in a large measure now fallen into Mr. Johnston's hands as British Commissioner. Yet the perusal of this volume is, we frankly admit, somewhat disappointing. There is too little of Livingstone and too much of the personality of Mr. Johnston in the pages of the book in other words, the author is carried away by his knowledge of and enthusiasm for certain aspects of his subject, and neglects to consider its true bearings. Lack of balance is the chief fault of the book. Instead of giving the reader a well-balanced picture of the physical and political geography of Central Africa, which should have served simply as a background to Livingstone's own work, instead also of drawing useful comparisons, Mr. Johnston enters into far too close detail concerning the fauna and flora of regions known to himself, whilst he devotes an undue amount of space to matters which are only incidentally associated with his subject. Possibly pressure of other work prevented the author from giving sufficient time to the elaboration of a more generalised view, and has tempted him into familiar by-paths. The most satisfactory portion of the whole book is that dealing with the Zambezi expeditions and the Last Journey. Himself familiar with a large part of the country under discussion, and for some years past having been associated with its development, Mr. Johnston handles his theme in a very satisfactory manner. It is noticeable that he maintains Livingstone's priority of discovery not only of Bangweolo and Moëro-which is commonly admitted-but also of Lake Nyasa; and he gives Portuguese officials their full mead of praise whenever he can conscientiously do so. Whilst the picture of Livingstone as an explorer has been fairly satisfactorily portrayed by the author of this volume, he fails altogether, we think, in appreciating Livingstone the missionary-pioneer. And, after all, it is chiefly in the latter respect that Livingstone's name is honoured by the general public. Such a theme, in spite of what has already been written on it, might have inspired the pen of any man who, like Mr. Johnston, has seen for himself the practical results of Livingstone's life-work. The volume, like the rest of the series, is well produced. There are twentytwo illustrations from photographs or drawings by the accomplished author, and seven maps by Mr. E. G. Ravenstein. The Arab and the African. By S. TRISTRAM PRUEN, M.D., F.R.G.S. With Illustrations. London: Seeley and Co, 1891. Pp. 338. Price 6s. This is a capital book. It is a popular and well-written description of the every-day life of the natives of Eastern Equatorial Africa, combined with the author's reflections on such subjects as the slave-trade, missionary enterprise, climatic diseases, etc. Dr. Pruen, who has spent three years in Africa, is a competent critic. His book is based almost exclusively on personal observation, which in a few places have led him into errors of a purely technical character; but, on the whole, his remarks are trustworthy. What specially distinguishes this book is the sound common-sense displayed by the author. Besides giving a very vivid picture of life in Tropical Africa, he offers very practical and serviceable advice to all those whose lot is cast in Africa. His book may be warmly recommended to missionaries, traders, and travellers who set out for Africa for the first time. Zambezia. By E. P. MATHERS, F.G.S., F.R.G.S. London: King, Sell, and We have already noticed this publication under its more modest dress as a supplement to South Africa. In its present form it will undoubtedly prove serviceable to those who are interested in South Africa. For the most part it is composed of extracts from all sources of information. There is a good map by Stanford, showing political boundaries, up to date. Handbook to South Africa. Fourth edition, revised and enlarged. London : So great has been the progress, so rapid the expansion, of commercial and colonial undertakings in South Africa since the last edition of this work appeared, 2 R VOL. VII. in 1880, that it has been found necessary to considerably enlarge it. Silver's Handbook is now a volume of nearly eight hundred pages. It contains a vast amount of information, carefully compiled, which is of the utmost value to the colonist, and may be read with profit by others. We have very complete accounts of Cape Colony, Natal, Basutoland, Bechuanaland, Zambesia, Zululand, Swazieland, Tongoland, the Orange Free State and the Transvaal, as well as of Portuguese East Africa and German S.-W. Africa. The section on the " Physical Geography" of South Africa, though not quite scientifically accurate in places, and somewhat confused in arrangement, has the merit of being comprehensive and serviceable; a judicious editor might make it even valuable. Other chapters follow on Climatology and Native races, and there is a useful gazetteer, map, and index. The Melanesians: Studies in their Anthropology and Folk-lore. By R. H. CODRINGTON, D.D. With Map and Illustrations. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1891. 8vo, 420 pp. Since the recent death of Dr. Inglis, one of our Fellows, we have no greater authority on the peoples of the Western Pacific, in the four groups of islands known as Melanesia, than Dr. Codrington. For nearly a quarter of a century he was a hard-working member of the Melanesian Mission of Bishop Selwyn, the headquarters of which is at Norfolk Island. His admirable lecture to our Society a few years ago enriches the pages of our Magazine. In the present elaborate and valuable volume we have the accurate details of the scientific generalisations and geographical descriptions of that paper. He has gone through the subjects treated in this volume with native instructors from the Solomon Islands, the Banks' Islands, and the northern New Hebrides. He sets forth as much as possible what natives say of themselves-not what Europeans say about them-on such ethnographic questions as these: Exogamous classes with succession through the mother; marriage; tokens; social regulations; property and inheritance; secret societies and mysteries; societies and clubs; religion; sacrifices; prayers; spirits; sacred places and things; magic; possession and ghosts; birth, childhood, and marriage at present; death, burial, and after death; arts of life; dances, music, and games; cannibalism and allied customs; stories. To such subjects the nineteen chapters of this most exhaustive book are devoted. It is the authority for these islands at least, and we trust it will stimulate missionaries in the other Pacific groups to imitate Dr. Inglis and Dr. Codrington. The map is an outline; it might have been more detailed. Two Years among the Savages of New Guinea. London Ward and Downey, 1891. By W. D. PITCAIRN, F.R.G.S. Pp. 286. Price 5s. Mr. Pitcairn sailed in 1887 from Cooktown in North Queensland to Samarai in New Guinea, and from thence proceeded in a small lugger to various islands off the coast. Returning to Samarai and the lovely China Straits, he next sailed to Sud-Est, a large island 40 miles in length and 8 miles broad, to prospect for gold; but neither there nor at the island of Rossel was he successful, although he considers that "within the coming two years gold will be found in New Guinea proper and in large quantities" if the search is made by a fully-equipped party. Mr. Pitcairn next visited the Bismarck Archipelago, and whilst en route at Woodlark Island their vessel received a most curious visitor in Tokiakus the Dwarf. "In all my travels," writes Mr. Pitcairn, "I had never beheld such a curiosity. Let me endeavour to describe him. Imagine a man 3 feet 6 inches in |