Year: 1874

gross.


The International Congress Of Geographecz


to be gathered at Paris next year s already


exciting public interest and calling for activity


on the part of the societies and scientists who


are TO take part in its proceedings. The lead


ing manager OF this important assembly is NJ


ie Baron Reille, of Paris, who has taken


cnarge OF the preliminary correspondence.


Inc Congress will last for eight days, the first


OF which will be devoted to the task of sys-


'ematizing the proposed work and forming


sections for special branches of investigation.


among the grave problems to be discussed
ana systematically investigated are some


upon which the world has long waited for
satisfactory solution Passing by those of
more technical and purely scientific interest.
such as belong to the mathematician, it is
proposed to give prominence to questions of
hydrosraphy and navigation, the study of


marine currents and their causes, the actual
results deducible from recent researches in
maritime and terrestrial meteorolopy and
climatology, and, not by any means the least
interesting point. the determination of the
routes for future exploration and trade MOST
eligible and economical.


The programme, as announced, embraces
over hundred OF these practical questions
for elucidation, and it is evident, if the preat
and industrious geographers of the present
day attend this meeting and give to it tho
fruit OF their previously matured knowledge.
the sum total gained will be a grand one. II.
in anticipation of more deliberate counsels by
the Organizing Committee. we may presume
to offer suggestion or two, the first would be
that the number Of inquiries be reduced, 20
AS to insure more prompt and perfect work.
Foremost among the subjects named for con-
ference we would venture to indicate a few
which, we believe, most concern the imme-
diate wants of mankind. These are the
measure of an arc of the meridian in the
Southern Hemisphere, and particularly in the
Argentine Republic; tho most simple lnstru-
ments for determining magnetic decination
uniform method for reckoning points of the
compass aerial and oceanic circulation and
their climatic influence, with the origin and
marine tracks OF cyclones f; the distribution of
foodplants and medicinal or sanitary fora and
their capability Of transplantation. If to these
be added the investigation proposed by the
committee) Us to the undiscovered portions of
Africa and the best equipment for exploration.
the settlement of the best routes for isthmian
canals and submarine cables the task under
taken by the Congress would be, perhaps, suf-
fciently comprehensive. But if its converting
affords opportunity for accomplishing any one
end of superiative importance to humanity
and commerce, that is in turthering the long
agitated scheme of steam lanes on the ocean


TO such an assemblage Of mariners, meteo-
rologists and cosmographers as this at Paris
will probably be the devisins of suitable
means for laying down the most advantageous
and safest steamer routes on all the oceans
would be easy and practicable. and these
routes once indicated by SO high an authority.
Of passenger steamers would be
by self-interest to follow.


This International Congress Of Geographers
will be the first ever assembled on the same
scale, and its deliberations, if previously ma
tured by those who will lead them, may be of
ncalculable value to science and the world
generally. 1t is not too soon for earnest prop
,ration on the part Of all who propose offer
ng their counsels or contributions to further
It's object