Geographical Journal (Journal of the Royal Geographical Society): Volume VIII, No. 5 [‎41v] (85/154)

488
RAILWAYS IN AFRICA.
ns the bioloj’jicEil point of vigvv, find contcndGcl for a, grc&t extension of
its habitable period beyond that usually conceded by physicists. A
report was read on the biological investigation of oceanic islands; and
in Section H (Anthropology), Prof. Haddon called attention to the need
of the immediate study of such islands from the anthropological point
of view. In the latter section, the president, Mr. A. Evans, spoke on
the pre-historic migrations of people and the origin of European races;
and Mr. J. L. Myres read a paper on “Cyprus and the Trade-routes
of South-Eastern Europe.” Mr. Thiselton Dyer, Director of the Royal
Gardens at Kew, gave a lecture in Section K (Botany) on the geo
graphical distribution of plants. Section G (Mechanical Science and
Engineering) listened to two communications of much geographical
interest, one a “ Report on the Effect of Wind and Atmospheric Pres
sure on Tides; ” the other by Mr. G. F. Lyster, on “ The Physical and
Engineering Features of the River Mersey and the Port of Liverpool.”
Mr. Lyster’s paper was felt to be of such value that it was ordered by
the General Committee to be printed in full in the Report.
Prof. W. A. Herdman, in addition to his arduous duties as local
secretary, has edited the Association’s “Handbook to Liverpool,” which,
although smaller than some similar books in the past, is admirably
compiled, and will serve as a valuable scientific guide to the Liverpool
neighbourhood for years to come. It contains the following chapters:
History and Antiquity of Liverpool, by W. H. Picton; Geology of the
Country around Liverpool, by G. H. Morton, with a geological map
specially compiled; The Vertebrate Fauna of the Liverpool District, by
Dr. H. 0. Forbes; The Marine Fauna of the District, by Prof. Herd-
man ; The Entomology of the Liverpool District, by W. E. Sharp;
The Botany of the Liverpool District, by Robert Brown ; The Climate
of Liverpool, by W. E. Plummer; The River and the Tides, by Prof.
Oliver J. Lodge ; Docks, and other Engineering Works, by Prof. H. S.
Hele-Shaw and H. Percy Boulnois; Trade and Commerce of Liverpool,
by Sir William B. Forwood; Chemical Industries, by Dr. C. A. Kohn.
An appendix is added giving some similar particulars relating to the
Isle of Man, the scene of one of the largest excursions of members-
after the close of the meeting.
RAILWAYS IN AFRICA.*
By Major DARWIN, Sec. R.G.S.
In reviewing the record of geographical work during the past year, all other
performances pale in comparison with the feat accomplished by Nansen. It is not
merely that he has gone considerably nearer the North Pole than any other
explorer, it is not only that he has made one of the most courageous expeditions
* Address delivered to the Geographical Section of the British Association at
Liverpool, September 17,1896, by Major Darwin, as President of the Section. Map,p. 540-