The Geographical Journal (Journal of the Royal Geographical Society): Volume IX, No. 4 [‎231r] (132/172)

THE MONTHLY RECORD.
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his account with a map. These observations he regards as only preliminary, for
he hopes to continue his studies in future years; but he considers that the journey
he has already made is sufficient to make it clear that the volcanic phenomena of
he region in question are much less simple than they have hitherto been thought
to be He points out that while it is established that the main fissure to which
recent volcanoes of Central America belong runs through Salvador (as well as
Guatemala) in a direction nearly parallel to the Pacific coast, there is a considerable
number of recent volcanoes in Salvador and South-Eastern Guatemala which do
not belong to this fissure being well-preserved simple cones, and in that respect
different from the other primary volcanoes not belonging to the main fissure, which
remote 6611 6X 6 y W ° rn away » and belon S accordingly to a period geologically
AUSTRALASIA AND OCEANIC ISLANDS.
Sir William Macgregor’s Journey across New Guinea.- We have
received a copy of the official report of Sir W. Macgregor, dated “ Port Moresby
November 2, 18i)G, which contains the account of his recent journey across New*
Guinea from the mouth of the Mambare to that of the Vanapa. It acquires
additional interest as giving information respecting the gold-mining operations
in the upper Mambare district, the scene of the recent massacre by the natives.
The Lieutenant-Governor had been preceded in his ascent of the Mambare by the
miners, the most enterprising of whom, Mr. Simpson, had cut a good road, with
great labour and difficulty, on the north side of the river as far as the junction of
its two main branches at the foot of Mount Scratchley. The start was made from
Mambare bay on August G, in two boats towed by a small steam-launch. The
river was unusually low at the time, and navigation was difficult in places. After
reaching the government station on the Marabare, the journey was continued by
land through thick forest, three large tributaries of the main stream being passed.
On March 14 “ Simpson’s Store ” on Mount Otovia was reached, 1500 to 1600 feet
above the river. Mount Otovia is the Mount Gillies of Sir W. Macgregor’s former
map {Proceedings, 1890, p. 256), the native name for Mount Parkes being Ajula-
kujula. The neighbourhood of these mountains, between which the Mambare
flows in a deep narrow bed, is exceedingly moist, the trunks of the trees being
•covered with moss everywhere over 1000 feet, whereas on the Owen Stanley range
it is only met with at 5000 to 6000 feet. Game is hardly found at all, and there
are no traces of clearings or of native occupation of any kind. The two head
-streams of the Mambare, the Chirima and Yodda, are separated by the great mass
of Mount Scratchley, the Yodda, which is much the larger, coming from the east
and south of the mountain. Several miners were found still at work at the foot
of Mount Scratchley, but work was about to cease on account of the rains. On
the west side of the northern spur of the mountain is the village of Neneba, the
■ chief of whom had visited the north coast, and was returning with Sir W.
Macgregor. Numerous details are given with respect to the physical characteristics
and habits of the people of Neneba, which are especially interesting on account of
the great isolation in which they appear to live. Their colour is a dark bronze,
and their hair is without exception frizzled. They showed themselves amiable
and peaceable, and the state of their arms indicated that they had not been
•engaged in any warlike undertaking for years. The route led up to the ridge of
Mount Scratchley, a road having to be cut the whole way. The rain, which had
begun earlier on the lower grounds, gradually ascended to the higher levels, reach
ing the highest summits last of all. The highest part of Mount Scratchley, as of
the other high peaks, consists of grassy country, broken by bare rocks and clumps
No. 1Y. —April, 1897.] 2 h