Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-01-20

rent? How many volcanoes are still in
operation along the gigantic mole which has
been piled west of the chain of lakes?
Though several explorers have crossed this
region their traverses are mere threads
of travel and disclose but little of it's char
acter.
of Africa also offer tempting objects for
intelligent research. We have no idea as
yet OF the nature of their beds or of their
depth. or of their fauna and their outlines
nave been but imperfectly sketched. Yet
these lakes cover about $4,000 square miles
of inner Africa. Moreover, it is really time
that some explorer should come forward
with the determination to ascertain the alti-
tude of the Victoria Nyanza or Tanganka
by the theodolite and spirit level, previous
to making a trustworthy survey of these
lakes.
Unvisited South American Tracts.
The presidents of the Royal Geographical
Society lately said that South America con-
tanned a larger unexplored area than Africa.
Though the statement should not be taken
too literally it is certainly true that there
are considerable areas awaiting explora-
ton. West and northwestern Brazil con-
tain several parts little known to the
European world the darkest parts of
Africa The debatable territory between
Ecuador and southeastern Colombia parts
of Cuzco and La Paz in Bolivia the Peru
Wan Andes, the upper basin of the Pilco-
mayo and an extensive portion of Pata-
gonia are regions of promise. great part
of the Andean Cordillera is completely I'M
known. both as to its topography and its
geology.
The secrets of the plains of Argentina, of
its renowned pampas and of the Patagon-
Ian tableland are still waiting solution. The
fauna of the Andean lakes is still a mys-
terry. those who are engaged in the study
of the past history of mankind would find
an ample harvest in those South American
mountains and finally those who should In
VeStigate the economic value of the phySf-
cal conditions of that country would be
well compensated for their labors of eX-
Dloration there.
In Old Asia.
OF late since Col. Prejvalsky's explora-
lions in Mid Asia the world has been inter-
ested in the exploits of explorers like those
of Younghusband, Rockhill, Littledale and
Sven Hedin, who have found something
new even in that old continent. The twen-
tieth century will not find central Asia
difficult of access as it was during the nine
teenth.
The great Siberian railway will afford
many starting place for explorations to
the south, and the fifth part of the Asiatic
continent which lies between Lake Baikal
and the Himalaya range. furnishes a very
large field for them. Sven Hedin has made
brilliant record in traversng the heart
OF Asia. and it would be singular if his
others to emulate his hardihood and dar-
ing Tibet has long withstood the attempts
of travellers to penetrate 1t for SYSTEM
attic survey. Our knowledge of the country,
though on the whole considerable, has been
gained furtively and by snatches or short
rushes and resembling somewhat the man
ner in which Europeans during the early
part of this century endeavored to reach
the interior of Africa. Malaria and saw
age man opposed them everywhere, just
the jealousy of the Chinese and supersti-
tious ignorance of the Tibetans oppose
modern travellers. Perseverance will con-
quer In the end-and both Tibet and China
will have to yield. Arabia and Persia
await the Wallins, Palgraves, Burtons and
Doughtys of the future, wise and tactful
travellers accomplished in the languages of
Oman and Aim, learned in oriental his
tory and saturated with eastern lore. The
mission of such will be to resurrect the
dead past, delve among old ruins, revive
the forgotten histories and forecast the
methods by which those venerable races
may be brought into touch and communion
with the busy world which abhors exclu-
SiveneSS.
There are many tracts in Australia still
unknown, but these may safely be left for
the Australians, whc' have shown them
selves peculiarly qualified in every way to
solve all geographical questions affecting
their interests
In the Polar Regions.
Those of the twentieth century who NAV
have ample chance to test their powers.
The last half of the nineteenth century
has been exceedingly Indifferent to polar
lands and seas, though we are not alto
gether without splendid examples of what
we could have done had we been so in
clined. Kane Mares, Greedy, Peary, Nor
denskiold, Virgins, Nansen, and others
have done marvelously well, and the man
shows only too clearly what territory we
have gained from the once unknown north.
Still vast region remains. North of the
sixty-degree parallel of latitude lie Green
land. Baffin' Land. Northern Canada and
Alaska, which contain large blank patches.
The last years of the century have wit
messed a growing interest in the northern
extremity of globe. and we are yet In
doubt as regards the fate of poor Andree
and his companions. In 1900 We shall prob
ably hear of the departure of an antarctic
expedition to explore that vast crcumpolar
area extending over thirty degrees of lati-
tude which lies In the southern hemisphere.
Requires the Rest Work.
In this necessarily brief sketch of the ex-
plorations yet to be accomplished by the
bold spirits Of the coming century 1t must
not be Imagined that L have included all
the tasks that must engage explorers. Hun
dreds upon hundreds will find ample work
in correcting, revising and refining the
hasty work performed by pioneers in Afri-
ca. America, Asia and Australia until the
highest point of accuracy and precision
has been attained. There are signs that
the world Is getting impatient with sloven
and inexact work, and expects superior
merits in the explorers of the future This
is but natural, after being satiated with
novelties, and another reason is perhaps
that the increase in the number Of geo
graphical societies has been SO great that
the geographical public has become more
learned and fastidious in its tastes and re-
quires the best that can be obtained, AS
the societies are 80 willing to coach in
tending explorers and prepare them for
their tasks. l have no doubt that such men
as they need will be forthcoming and as
amply endowed with physical powers and
mental fitness as any who ever ventured
into the unknown.
HENRY NJ STANLEY.