Vol. II. No. 5.
THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE.
PUBLISHED BY THE
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY,
WASHINGTON, D. C.
Price, 25 Cents.
CONTENTS.
Announcement
Proceedings of the National Geographic Society
National Geographic Society:
Report of the Secretaries
Report of the Treasurer
Report of the Auditing Committee
Summary of Reports on the Mt. St. Elias Expedition
By-Laws
Standing Rules of the Board of Managers
Rules relating to Publication
Officers of the Society
Members of the Society
Index to Volumes I and II
APRIL, 1891.
THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE.
Vol. II. 1890. No. 5.
ANNOUNCEMENT.
The NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY was organized in January, 1888, "to
increase and diffuse geographic knowledge." It is incorporated under
the laws of the District of Columbia, and has at present an active
membership of about four hundred.
The publication of a magazine was early determined upon as one of the
means of increasing and diffusing geographic knowledge; and two
volumes of _The National Geographic Magazine_ have been published in
the form of a quarterly journal.
During the past two years it has been found that the form of
publication adopted at the outset meets but imperfectly the needs of
the Society: in the first place, since the season of active work in
the Society includes the winter months only, there was an excess of
material for the two earlier numbers and a dearth of material for the
two later numbers of the volume; and in the second place, the
necessity for holding articles until sufficient material for a number
was received sometimes led to delay in publishing interesting and
important matter. Accordingly it has been decided to discontinue the
quarterly form and to publish the _Magazine_ in the form of a series
of brochures, each issued promptly as possible after reception of the
material. The details of this modified form of publication are set
forth elsewhere in this number of the _Magazine_.
While the _National Geographic Magazine_ is edited by and constitutes
the organ of the NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY, it is not limited to
this function; and, as was announced in the first number of the
journal, "its pages will be open to all persons interested in
geography in the hope that it may become a channel of
intercommunication, stimulate geographic investigation, and prove an
acceptable medium for the publication of results."
With the adoption of the modified form of the journal the publication
year was changed from one determined by the working season of the
SOCIETY to the calendar year; and it is to cover a hiatus in the
SOCIETY'S records growing out of this change that this fifth number of
Volume II is issued.
* * * * *
The National Capital seems to be a natural and appropriate place for
an association of national character, and the aim of the founders has
been therefore to form a continental rather than a local Society. That
this aim has measurably succeeded is indicated by the fact that
although the NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY is only three years old there
are 57 non-resident members, distributed over 27 states and
territories.
* * * * *
One of the means adopted by the NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY for
increasing geographic knowledge has been that of exploration. In the
spring of 1890 an expedition was sent out by the Society to explore
and survey the Mt. St. Elias alps of Alaska. The results of the
expedition include (1) new determinations of altitude and geographic
position for Mt. St. Elias and neighboring peaks; (2) a topographic
map of a considerable part of the Mt. St. Elias range with its
southwestern foothills and the slopes thence to the shores of the
Pacific; (3) an investigation of the glaciers of this alpine region;
(4) researches into the geology of the region; and (5) a study of the
range and its climatal and other conditions so complete as to prepare
the way for detailed surveys of the entire region.
A report on the Mt. St. Elias expedition, comprising about 150 pages
of letter-press with 20 plates and a number of other illustrations,
has just been sent to press as a part of Volume III of the _National
Geographic Magazine_.
As another means of carrying out the purposes of the SOCIETY, regular
fortnightly meetings are held for presenting scientific and popular
communications on geographic subjects, some of which are published in
the _National Geographic Magazine_. The Society also provides for the
delivery of public lectures in Washington upon explorations in
little-known countries and upon other geographic subjects. Within a
few months lectures have been delivered under the auspices of the
Society by eminent explorers or students on the following subjects:
The Explorer in Egypt;
Buried Cities of Ancient Egypt;
Life among the Australian Cannibals;
A Journey through China, Mongolia and Thibet;
Korea and the Koreans;
Results of the Mt. St. Elias Exploring Expedition.
The SOCIETY has in preparation a physical atlas of the United States.
There is no geographic or number limitation to membership in the
Society. The _National Geographic Magazine_ is sent free to members.
* * * * *
Correspondence with the SOCIETY should be addressed to Mr. Marcus
Baker, Secretary, No. 1330 F Street, Washington, D. C.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY.
ABSTRACT OF MINUTES.
_March 21, 1890. 37th meeting_.
Meeting held in Assembly Hall of the Cosmos Club. President Hubbard in
the chair. Attendance, 50.
Article V, paragraph one, of the By-laws was amended so as to read
"The annual dues of active members shall be five dollars and of
corresponding members two dollars, payable during the month of
January, or, in the case of new members, within thirty days after
election."
A discussion was then had on the subject of Geographic Nomenclature,
participated in by Messrs. H. G. Ogden, Gustave Herrle, Marcus Baker
and A. H. Thompson. _Published in The National Geographic Magazine.
8°. Washington, D. C. August, 1890. Vol. 2, no. 4, pp. 261-278._
Mr. L. R. Klemm made some remarks on "A new method of developing
geographic facts in teaching."
_April 4, 1890. 38th meeting_.
Meeting held in Assembly Hall of the Cosmos Club. Vice-President
Hayden in the chair. Attendance, 25.
Mr. Robert Stein read a paper on "Turkish rule in Armenia," which was
discussed by Mr. H. Garabed of Sis, Cilicia, Asia Minor, and by Mr.
Kenaston. _Not published._
_April 11, 1890. Special meeting._
Meeting held in the Lecture Hall of the National Museum.
Vice-President Hayden in the chair. Attendance, 850.
Ensign J. B. Bernadou, U. S. N., addressed the Society on "Korea and
the Koreans." His lecture was illustrated by lantern slides. _Revised
and published in The National Geographic Magazine. 8°. Washington,
D. C. August, 1890. Vol. 2, no. 4, pp. 231-242._
_April 18, 1890. 39th meeting._
Meeting held in the Assembly Hall of the Cosmos Club. Vice-President
Hayden in the chair. Attendance, 90.
Ensign Hugh Rodman, U. S. N., read a paper on "Icebergs and field ice
in the North Atlantic." The communication was illustrated by lantern
slides. _Published by the U. S. Hydrographic Office with this
title--No. 93. Report of ice and ice movements in the North Atlantic
Ocean, by Ensign Hugh Rodman, U. S. N., under the direction of Capt.
Henry F. Picking, U. S. N., Hydrographer. 8°. Washington, government
printing office. 1890. 26 pp. 1 folder, 4 maps._
The paper was briefly discussed by Mr. Hayden.
_May 2, 1890. 40th meeting._
Meeting held in the Lecture Hall of the National Museum.
Vice-President Ogden in the chair. Attendance, 450.
Mr. W. W. Rockhill read a paper giving an account of "A journey
through Mongolia, China and Thibet," made by him in 1888-1889. The
communication was illustrated by lantern slides. The material embodied
in this paper with much more on the same subject has been _published
in The Century. 8°. New York, 1890, Nov. Vol. 41, no. 1, pp. 1-17;
Dec. no. 2, pp. 250-263; Jan. 1891, no. 3, pp. 350-361; Feb. no. 4,
pp. 599-606; Mar. no. 5, pp. 720-730_.
_May 7, 1890. Special meeting._
Meeting held in the Assembly Hall of the Cosmos Club. President
Hubbard in the chair. Attendance, 50.
This was a special meeting called to consider the following
propositions.
_First:_ Methods of increasing membership.
_Second:_ The employment of a salaried assistant secretary.
_Third:_ The establishment of a monthly periodical.
_Fourth:_ The formation of sections, or auxiliary societies,
throughout the country.
Messrs. Baker, Blodgett, Gilbert, Goodfellow, Hayden, Hornaday, J. B.
Johnson, W. D. Johnson, Kenaston, McGee, Ogden, Gilbert Thompson, Weed
and Welling took part in the discussion of these propositions. There
was unanimity of sentiment as to the desirability of increasing the
membership and employing a salaried assistant secretary and editor.
With regard to the third and fourth propositions sentiment was
divided.
Action was taken by the adoption of the following:--
_Resolved:_ That the members of the Society pledge themselves
severally to use their best endeavors to obtain two new members each
for the Society, within the next ten days and report their names to
the Secretary of the Society.
_Resolved:_ That a committee of five, of which the President shall be
chairman, be appointed by the President for the purpose of devising
plans and raising means for carrying out the purposes for which the
Society is organized.
The President named as such committee,
Messrs. Gardiner G. Hubbard, _Chairman_,
Marcus Baker,
Henry Gannett,
A. W. Greely,
Everett Hayden.
_May 16, 1890. 41st meeting._
Meeting held in the Assembly Hall of the Cosmos Club. Vice-President
Hayden in the chair. Attendance, 50.
Mr. Josiah Pierce, Jr., read a paper on "The Ordnance Survey of Great
Britain--its history and object," which was illustrated by numerous
maps and drawings. The paper was discussed by Messrs. Baker, Bartle,
Gannett, Gilbert, W. D. Johnson, Littlehales, Gilbert Thompson and the
author. _Published in The National Geographic Magazine. 8°.
Washington, D. C. August, 1890. Vol. 2, no. 4, pp. 243-260._
---- SUMMER VACATION. ----
_November 26, 1890. Special meeting._
Meeting held in Lincoln Music Hall. Hon. W. T. Harris presided.
Attendance, 800.
Mr. I. C. Russell delivered an address on the results of the
exploration made by him under the auspices of the National Geographic
Society, last summer, in the vicinity of Mt. St. Elias, Alaska. The
address was illustrated by wall maps and lantern slides. A full report
of this exploration _will be published in The National Geographic
Magazine. An article on the subject is also expected to appear in The
Century, April, 1890._
_November 28, 1890. 42d meeting._
Meeting held in the Assembly Hall of the Cosmos Club. President
Hubbard in the chair. Attendance, 90.
The chair announced the election to membership since the meeting of
May 23, 1890, of 148 new members.
Mr. Mark B. Kerr read a paper on the results of his surveys last
summer in company with Mr. I. C. Russell in the vicinity of Mt. St.
Elias, Alaska. The paper was discussed by Messrs. Abbe, Baker, Dall,
Gannett, Gilbert, Ogden and Woodward. _Revised and published in
Scribner's Magazine. 8°. New York, 1891, March, Vol. 9, no. 3, pp.
361-372._
Mr. I. C. Russell exhibited a painting of Taku Glacier, Alaska, made
by Mr. Keith, of San Francisco, and made a few explanatory remarks
thereon.
_December 12, 1890. 43d meeting._
Meeting held in the Lecture Hall of the Columbian University.
Vice-President Hayden in the chair. Attendance, 200.
Ensign J. M. Ellicott, U. S. N., delivered an address, illustrated by
lantern slides, on "Surveys executed by the U. S. S. Ranger in Lower
California." _Not yet published._
_December 19, 1890. Special meeting._
Meeting held in the Lecture Hall of the Columbian University.
Vice-President Ogden in the chair. Attendance, 100.
The President, Gardiner G. Hubbard, delivered his annual address, on
the subject "South America." _Published in The National Geographic
Magazine. 8°. Washington, D. C. March, 1891. Vol. 3, pp. 1-30._
_December 26, 1890. 44th (3d annual) meeting._
Meeting held in the Assembly Hall of the Cosmos Club.
The annual report of the Secretaries was presented. _Printed on pages
296-298._
The annual report of the Treasurer was presented and referred to an
auditing committee consisting of Messrs. P. H. Christie, R. D. Cummin
and S. A. Aplin, Jr. _Printed on pages 299, 300._
The annual election of officers, for 1891, was then held with the
following result:
_President_--Gardiner G. Hubbard.
_Vice-Presidents_--H. G. Ogden [land];
Everett Hayden [sea];
A. W. Greely [air];
C. Hart Merriam [life];
Henry Gannett [art].
_Treasurer_--Charles J. Bell.
_Recording Secretary_--Marcus Baker.
_Corresponding Secretary_--C. A. Kenaston.
_Managers_--Rogers Birnie, Jr.,
G. K. Gilbert,
G. Brown Goode,
W. D. Johnson,
W J McGee,
T. C. Mendenhall,
W. B. Powell,
B. H. Warder.
_January 9, 1891. 45th meeting._
Meeting held in the Assembly Hall of the Cosmos Club. President
Hubbard in the chair. Attendance, 30.
Report of the auditing committee appointed at the last meeting was
presented and adopted. _Printed on page 301._
Article IV of the By-laws was amended by striking out the following
clause: "The Vice-Presidents, together with the two Secretaries, shall
constitute a committee of the Board of Managers on Communications and
Publications."
Vice-President Hayden, Department of the Sea, and Vice-President
Merriam, Department of Life, presented their annual reports. _Not yet
published._
_January 23, 1891. 46th meeting._
Meeting held in the Assembly Hall of the Cosmos Club. President
Hubbard in the chair. Attendance, 35.
Vice-President Greely, Department of the Air, and Vice-President
Ogden, Department of the Land, presented their annual reports. _Not
yet published._
_February 6, 1891. 47th meeting._
Meeting held in the Assembly Hall of the Cosmos Club. President
Hubbard in the chair. Attendance, 50.
The meeting was devoted to an account of the U. S. S. Pensacola
expedition to the west coast of Africa.
Mr. Cleveland Abbe described the cruise in general terms and gave some
account of the geodetic surveys executed in and the climate of South
Africa.
Mr. Heli Chattelaine, of Switzerland, read a paper on the Dialects and
Folk-Lore of the Portugese portion of West Africa.
Mr. Frank H. Bigelow read a paper on the island of Ascension.
_February 13, 1891. Special meeting._
Meeting held in the Assembly Hall of the Cosmos Club. Vice-President
Greely in the chair. Attendance, 225.
Hon. Geo. B. Loring, Ex-U. S. Minister to Portugal, delivered an
address upon the "Kingdom of Portugal." _Not published._
_February 20, 1891. 48th meeting._
Meeting held in the Assembly Hall of the Cosmos Club. Vice-President
Hayden in the chair. Attendance, 40.
Mr. F. H. Newell read a paper on "Natural Gas and Oil in the Eastern
United States." This paper was discussed by Mr. W J McGee.
Mr. C. D. Walcott read a paper on "The North American Continent during
the Cambrian." This paper was discussed by Messrs. Gilbert and McGee.
It is planned to publish the paper in _The National Geographic
Magazine, Vol. 3_.
_February 27, 1891. Special meeting._
Meeting held in the Assembly Hall of the Cosmos Club. Vice-President
Greely in the chair. Attendance, 225.
Major C. E. Dutton, U. S. A. delivered an address upon "The Hawaiian
Islands: their scenery, volcanoes, people, and politics, with a few
words about the reciprocity treaty with the United States."
Foregoing abstract prepared by the secretaries March 2, 1891.
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY.
THIRD ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SECRETARIES.
PRESENTED TO THE SOCIETY, DECEMBER 26, 1890.
_Membership._--The Society was organized in January, 1888, with a
total membership of 165.
At the close of its first year, in December, 1888, the membership was
209. At the close of the second year, in December, 1889, the
membership was 228; and the present membership is 392.[1]
[Footnote 1: The membership has since increased to 399, as shown by
the summary on p. 334.]
Since the last annual meeting the membership has been increased by the
election of 190 new members. It has been decreased by the resignation
of 10 members, by the death of 1 member (Capt. C. O. Boutelle) and by
the dropping of 15 members for non-payment of dues. The net increase
has thus been 164, and the present total membership is 392 as above
stated.
This membership is classified as follows:
Active members 331
Corresponding members 57
Life members 4
---
Total number of members 392
At the beginning of the year, corresponding members paid no dues. On
March 20 of this year, however, the By-Laws were so amended as to
require these members to pay annual dues of $2.00, such payment
entitling them to the publications of the Society.
_Meetings._--The Society has held 22 meetings during the year, of
which, 13 were regular meetings for the reading and discussion of
papers, 4 were public lectures at which an admission fee was charged,
1 was a field meeting at the Great Falls of the Potomac on May 21, 1
was a special meeting for considering ways and means for increasing
the Society's usefulness, 1 was the meeting for presentation of the
annual address of the President for 1889 (delayed by reason of absence
of the President from the city), 1 was the meeting for the
presentation of the President's address for 1890, and 1 the annual
meeting for the election of officers and transaction of business.
At the regular meetings for the reading and discussion of papers, the
average attendance was 170, the highest being 850 and the lowest 25.
The Board of Managers have held 23 meetings for transacting the
business of the Society, of which 13 were regular and 10 were special
meetings. The highest attendance of the 17 members composing the Board
was 13, and on several occasions there has been no quorum.
_Changes in the Board._--On November 5, the Recording Secretary, Mr.
Henry Gannett, resigned, and the Board of Managers filled the vacancy
by electing Mr. Marcus Baker in his place. The Board then elected Mr.
Gannett as one of the Managers. On December 9, Mr. O. H. Tittmann
resigned the office of Corresponding Secretary, and Dr. J. C. Welling
resigned from the Board of Managers. The vacancies thus created have
not been filled.
_Explorations._--In the month of May the Board of Managers decided to
send a party to the vicinity of Mt. St. Elias, Alaska, for the purpose
of making geographic and geologic exploration and survey. Funds for
the purpose were obtained in part from the treasury of the Society, in
part from private subscription and in part from the coöperation of the
U. S. Geological Survey. Mr. I. C. Russell, Geologist of the U. S.
Geological Survey, was placed in charge of the party and of geologic
work, and Mr. Mark B. Kerr, Topographer, also of the U. S. Geological
Survey, was sent in charge of the topographic work.
Through the kindly coöperation of the U. S. Navy Department and of the
U. S. Revenue Marine, both of which furnished transportation, the
party reached the field of work and was brought away at the close of
their labors without mishap or loss of time. The party, consisting all
told of nine persons, were enabled to spend about three months in
exploration and survey of a most interesting and unknown region filled
with gigantic mountains smothered in glaciers. An area of several
hundred square miles was mapped, mountain peaks climbed, heights
measured, photographs made and numerous and interesting notes
obtained. A final report of this, the Society's first venture in
exploration, is now in preparation and its publication by the Society
is expected in a short time.
_Publications._--During the year the Society has published volume II
of the National Geographic Magazine. This volume contains 285 pages,
together with maps and illustrations, and was issued in four numbers,
in April, May, July and August.
MARCUS BAKER,
C. A. KENASTON,
Secretaries.
REPORT OF THE TREASURER.
PRESENTED TO THE SOCIETY, DECEMBER 26, 1890.
_To the President and Members of the National Geographic Society:_
I have the honor to submit herewith my annual report showing receipts
and disbursements for the fiscal year ending December 26, 1890.
As will be seen by the report, the receipts from dues for 1890 amount
to $1289.00 against $865.00 for 1889, showing an increase of $424.00.
The assets of the Society consist of--
Note of M. N. Thompson, secured by deed of trust, $750 00
Cash with Bell & Co. 41 62
Dues for 1890, unpaid 260 00
-------
$1051 62
Respectfully submitted,
C. J. BELL, Treasurer.
THE TREASURER in account with the NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY.
1890.
To balance on hand, December 26, 1889 $63 82
Dec. 26. " cash rec'd for dues of 1889 $95 00
" " " " 1890 1289 00
" " " " 1891 62 00
" " " " 1892 5 00
" " " Life Membership 50 00
------- 1501 00
" " from Lectures 834 38
" " " Interest on Loan 45 00
" " " Sales of Magazines 38 75
-------
$2482 95
1890.
Dec. 26. By cash paid for Magazine, No. 1, Vol. 2 $148 10
" " " " 2 " 215 80
" " " " 3 " 188 53
" " " " 4 " 140 83
------ $693 26
" " Expenses of Lectures 815 30
" " Subscription to Alaska Explor. Fund 517 66
" " Printing, Stationery, Postage, etc. 308 66
" " Clerk hire 65 00
" " Cosmos Club Rent 33 00
" " Sundries 8 45
" balance on hand (on deposit with Bell & Co.) 41 62
-------
$2482 95
Washington, D. C., 26th December, 1890.
REPORT OF THE AUDITING COMMITTEE.
PRESENTED TO THE SOCIETY, JANUARY 9, 1891.
_To the President and Members of the National Geographic Society:_--
We, a committee appointed at the annual meeting of the Society to
audit the accounts of the Treasurer for the rear ending December 31,
1890, beg to submit the following report:
The statement of the receipts, consisting of dues from members,
receipts from lectures, interest on loan and sale of magazines, has
been examined and found correct.
The vouchers for expenditures and checks in payment therefor have been
examined, compared and found correct.
We have examined the bank book, showing the account with Messrs. Bell
& Co., and found the balance to be $41.62 as stated.
The Treasurer also showed us a note for $750 which is mentioned as
part of the assets of the Society.
P. H. CHRISTIE,
ROBT. D. CUMMIN,
S. A. APLIN. JR.,
_Committee_.
SUMMARY OF REPORTS ON THE MT. ST. ELIAS EXPEDITION.
During the year 1890, the National Geographic Society made its first
venture in exploration. This venture consisted in raising funds,
organizing and sending to the vicinity of Mt. St. Elias, Alaska, a
small party in charge of Mr. I. C. Russell to make geographic and
geologic studies. The following is a condensed account of the
enterprise, taken largely from reports of committees and other records
not otherwise published.
During the spring months of 1890, the Board of Managers of the
National Geographic Society considered from time to time ways and
means for carrying out the declared purpose of the Society "to
increase and diffuse geographic knowledge." The advisability of
undertaking some exploratory work was discussed. That geographic
knowledge could be _diffused_ by lectures and by publications was
obvious. But to _increase_ geographic knowledge other means were
clearly necessary. Exploration seemed the most obvious mode for
accomplishing this increase. What particular exploration should be
undertaken was then considered. A proposition to aid in continuing the
researches of Mr. W. W. Rockhill, in Thibet, was made but was given up
on account of the expense, which seemed beyond the means of the
Society. Later a proposition by Mr. W. D. Johnson that the Society
should send a party to the vicinity of Mt. St. Elias, Alaska, was
submitted and adopted provisionally, the proviso relating to success
in securing the necessary funds. This proposition was submitted to the
Board of Managers May 20, and adopted May 23, 1890.
Four days later, viz., on May 27, 1890, a largely attended special
meeting of the Board went over the whole matter. It was submitted that
the probable cost of the expedition would be about $3500; that of this
sum about $2500 had already been paid or pledged and that 13 persons
had signed a joint note for $1000 by which to secure the needful
balance and insure the departure of the expedition. Furthermore it was
submitted that the Secretary of the Navy had directed the U. S. S.
Pinta to transport the party from Sitka to Yakutat Bay and return, and
the Director of the U. S. Geological Survey had authorized the detail
of Mr. I. C. Russell, geologist, and Mr. Mark B. Kerr, topographer,
for the scientific work of the expedition.
A long and earnest discussion was had on the advisability of starting
the expedition out on this basis. The lateness of the season and the
low condition of the funds were urged as reasons for delaying till
next year. It was finally decided, however, by a vote of 7 to 5 to
adopt the proposition now and start the expedition forthwith.
Thus, by the aid and coöperation of the U. S. Geological Survey and of
the Secretary of the Navy, the expedition was organized. Mr. I. C.
Russell, geologist, was placed in charge, and Mr. Mark B. Kerr was
assigned as topographer of the party. The plan of work was to proceed
to Yakutat Bay and to study and map as large an area in the vicinity
of Mt. St. Elias as practicable. It was also planned to redetermine
the height of the mountain, and, if practicable, to ascend it.
The party consisted all told of ten persons; Messrs. Russell and Kerr
before mentioned, Mr. E. S. Hosmer, a volunteer assistant from
Washington, and seven camp hands, hired in Seattle, of whom James H.
Christie was foreman. On June 17, they sailed on the steamer Queen for
Sitka, where, on arriving, they found the U. S. S. Pinta in readiness
to take them to Yakutat, in accordance with instructions previously
received from the Secretary of the Navy. They were at once transferred
with all their outfit from the Queen to the Pinta, and sailed for
Yakutat Bay, arriving June 25, in fog and rain.
Three days later the party, with all stores and equipment, had been
landed; and bidding good-bye to the courteous officers of the Pinta,
they entered upon the serious work of the season.
The area to be examined was found to consist of a majestic mountain
range, trending southeast and northwest, in front of which was a
broad, ice-covered plateau. The range is snow-clad down to a level of
1500 feet above the sea, and is filled with glaciers of vast
magnitude. Excursions into this area and a study of its glacial and
geological phenomena were at once begun. At the same time Mr. Kerr
measured a base line and began the work of mapping the region. A
system of triangulation starting from this measured base was carried
on, the prominent peaks were located by intersection, and heights were
determined by vertical angles. Sketches and photographs were taken
from many points, and before the season closed, sufficient material
was gathered to make a fairly good map of an area of about 1000 square
miles.
The topographic work having been well started and a base camp
established, the party took up the line of march toward Mt. St. Elias.
On the first of August they found themselves midway between Yakutat
Bay and St. Elias, but still at the base of the mountains. Most of the
way to this point the journey had been made over crevassed ice. The
party continued to push on, and after twenty days of very severe labor
above the snow line reached and camped at the base of St. Elias. From
this camp, at an elevation of about 9,000 feet, the party started at 3
o'clock in the morning for the final climb to the summit of the
mountain, but were beaten back by a prolonged and severe storm with
heavy fall of snow. Two days later a second attempt was made, but
another snow storm broke over the mountains as suddenly as the first.
The deep snow accumulated by these two storms prevented all further
progress, and the party reluctantly turned back. They continued to
travel about in the region, while wending their way slowly back to
Yakutat, gathering interesting and valuable geographic and geologic
data. On the 20th of September they arrived at Yakutat Bay, having had
almost continuous stormy weather since the attempted climb of the
mountain. Two days after their arrival at Yakutat the U. S. Revenue
Cutter Corwin, Capt. C. L. Hooper commanding, was seen steaming up the
bay. Acting on his own judgment, and knowing that the explorers would
fare badly if left at Yakutat until winter set in, Capt. Hooper had
come from Sitka especially for the party, which was taken on board
Sept. 24, and conveyed directly to Port Townsend, Washington, where it
arrived October 2 and disbanded, Messrs. Russell and Kerr returning to
Washington.
Various newspaper accounts of this expedition have been published, as
well as articles in several magazines, notably in Scribner's, and the
Century. The full official report with map and illustrations will be
published hereafter in the _National Geographic Magazine_.
BY-LAWS.
AS ADOPTED WITH AMENDMENTS UP TO JANUARY 9, 1891.
ARTICLE I. NAME.
The name of this Society is the "NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY."
ARTICLE II. OBJECT.
The object of this Society is the increase and diffusion of geographic
knowledge.
ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP.
The members of this Society shall be persons who are interested in
geographic science. There may be three classes of members, active,
corresponding, and honorary.
Active members only shall be members of the corporation; shall be
entitled to vote and may hold office.
Persons residing at a distance from the District of Columbia may
become corresponding members of the Society. They may attend its
meetings, take part in its proceedings, and contribute to its
publications.
Persons who have attained eminence by the promotion of geographic
science may become honorary members.
Corresponding members may be transferred to active membership, and,
conversely, active members may be transferred to corresponding
membership by the Board of Managers.
The election of members shall be entrusted to the Board of Managers.
Nominations for membership shall be signed by three active members of
the Society; shall state the qualifications of the candidate; and
shall be presented to the Recording Secretary. No nomination shall
receive action by the Board of Managers until it has been before it at
least two weeks, and no candidate shall be elected unless he receive
at least nine affirmative votes.
ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS.
The Officers of the Society shall be a President, five
Vice-Presidents, a Treasurer, a Recording Secretary, and a
Corresponding Secretary.
The above mentioned officers, together with eight other members of the
Society, known as Managers, shall constitute a Board of Managers.
Officers and Managers shall be elected annually, by ballot, a majority
of the votes cast being necessary to an election; they shall hold
office until their successors are elected; and shall have power to
fill vacancies occurring during the year.
The President, or, in his absence, one of the Vice-Presidents, shall
preside at the meetings of the Society and of the Board of Managers;
he shall, together with the Recording Secretary, sign all written
contracts and obligations of the Society, and attest its corporate
seal; he shall deliver an annual address to the Society.
Each Vice-President shall represent in the Society and in the Board of
Managers a department of geographic science, as follows:
Geography of the Land.
Geography of the Sea.
Geography of the Air.
Geography of Life.
Geographic Art.
The Vice-Presidents shall foster their respective departments within
the Society; they shall present annually to the Society summaries of
the work done throughout the world in their several departments.
They shall be elected to their respective departments by the Society.
The Treasurer shall have charge of the funds of the Society, shall
collect the dues, and shall disburse under the direction of the Board
of Managers; he shall make an annual report; and his accounts shall be
audited annually by a committee of the Society and at such other times
as the Board of Managers may direct.
The Secretaries shall record the proceedings of the Society and of the
Board of Managers; shall conduct the correspondence of the Society;
and shall make an annual report.
The Board of Managers shall transact all the business of the Society,
except such as may be presented at the annual meeting. It shall
formulate rules for the conduct of its business. Nine members of the
Board of Managers shall constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE V. DUES.
The annual dues of active members shall be five dollars, and of
corresponding members two dollars, payable during the month of
January, or, in the case of new members, within thirty days after
election.
The dues of members elected in November and December shall be credited
to the succeeding year.
Annual dues may be commuted and life membership acquired by the
payment of fifty dollars.
No member in arrears shall vote at the annual meeting, and the names
of members two years in arrears shall be dropped from the roll of
membership.
ARTICLE VI. MEETINGS.
Regular meetings of the Society shall be held on alternate Fridays,
from November until May, and excepting the annual meeting they shall
be devoted to communications. The Board of Managers shall, however,
have power to postpone or omit meetings, when deemed desirable.
Special meetings may be called by the President.
The annual meeting for the election of officers shall be the last
regular meeting in December.
The meeting preceding the annual meeting shall be devoted to the
President's annual address.
The reports of the retiring Vice-Presidents shall be presented in
January.
A quorum for the transaction of business shall consist of twenty-five
active members.
ARTICLE VII. AMENDMENTS.
These by-laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members
present at a regular meeting, provided that notice of the proposed
amendment has been given in writing at a regular meeting at least four
weeks previously.
STANDING RULES OF THE BOARD OF MANAGERS.
ADOPTED JANUARY 16, 1891.
1.--The President, Vice-Presidents and Secretaries of the Society
shall hold like offices in the Board of Managers.
2.--The President shall have power to call special meetings of the
Board of Managers and to appoint special committees. He shall, also,
at the beginning of each year appoint a Standing Committee, of three
persons, on Communications; a Standing Committee, of three persons, on
Publications; and three delegates, of which he shall be chairman, to
serve on the Joint Commission.
3.--The Treasurer shall receive all dues and other income of the
Society; shall keep its accounts; and shall disburse its funds under
the direction of the Board of Managers.
4.--One of the Secretaries shall act as the Secretary of the Board and
the other as Secretary of the Society; and both Secretaries shall be
excused from serving on committees.
5.--The Committee on Communications shall receive and consider all
communications, and propositions relating to communications, designed
for delivery before the Society, and shall prepare programmes for all
meetings.
6.--The Committee on Publications shall have charge of the
publications of the Society.
7.--At the beginning of each year the Secretary shall submit an
estimate of the revenues of the Society for the current year,
whereupon, the Board shall make itemized appropriations for the
different classes of regular expenditures. All expenditures not
included in these regular allotments must be specially authorized by
the Board. Charges against the regular allotments will be paid by the
Treasurer upon the certification of the officer or chairman of the
committee incurring the expenditures.
8.--The names of proposed members, recommended in conformity with
Article III of the By-Laws, may be presented at any meeting of the
Board of Managers and shall lie over at least two weeks before final
action.
9.--The order of business at the regular meetings of the Board of
Managers shall be as follows:
_a_. Reading of minutes.
_b_. Communications from the President, Secretaries or Treasurer and
action thereon.
_c_. Reports of committees and action thereon.
_d_. Election of members.
_e_. Nominations for membership.
_f_. Miscellaneous business.
10.--The order of business for each regular meeting of the Society
shall be as follows:
_a_. Reading of the minutes of the last meeting.
_b_. Notice of the election of new members and other notices and
correspondence of the Society.
_c_. The presentation of papers and their discussion.
11.--The order of business for the annual meeting shall be as follows:
_a_. The reading of the minutes of the last annual meeting.
_b_. The presentation of the annual reports of the Secretaries.
_c_. The presentation of the annual report of the Treasurer.
_d_. The selection of a committee to audit the accounts of the
Treasurer.
_e_. The announcement of a posted list of the names of members who
are entitled to vote for the election of officers.
_f_. The election of a President.
_g_. The election of five Vice-Presidents, in the order named in the
By-Laws.
_h_. The election of a Treasurer.
_i_. The election of a Recording Secretary.
_j_. The election of a Corresponding Secretary.
_k_. The election of eight Managers.
_l_. Unfinished business.
_m_. The reading of the rough minutes of the meeting.
The election of officers shall be as follows:
In each case nominations shall be made by an informal ballot: the
result of each informal ballot having been announced, the first formal
ballot shall be taken. An informal ballot may be made formal by a
majority vote. Each of the Vice-Presidents shall be elected to his
position separately.
In the ballot for Managers, as many names may be written on the ballot
as there are Managers to be elected, and those persons receiving a
majority on each formal ballot shall be declared elected. If more than
the number to be elected receive a majority, those receiving the
greatest number of votes shall be declared chosen.
12.--It is not permitted to report the proceedings of the Society for
publication, except by authority of the Board of Managers.
13.--These rules may be amended by a majority vote, notice having been
given two weeks in advance.
RULES RELATING TO PUBLICATION.
ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF MANAGERS FEBRUARY 6, 1891.
_Form of Publication_.
SECTION 1. The National Geographic Society will continue to publish a
serial entitled _The National Geographic Magazine_.
SEC. 2. This serial shall be published in covered parts or brochures,
consecutively paged for each volume. The brochures shall be designated
by volume numbers and limiting pages; and each shall bear a special
title setting forth the contents and authorship, as well as the title
of the serial and the seal and imprint of the Society, and, in
addition, the precise date of publication.
SEC. 3. A brochure may consist of a single memoir or article, in which
case twenty-five copies will be furnished to the author without
charge, and the author may order or authorize the order of any
additional number of copies; and the shorter papers, abstracts,
reviews, notes and miscellaneous matter may be collected and issued as
brochures uniform with those containing the memoirs.
SEC. 4. The brochures of the serial shall be arranged for gathering
into volumes, each comprising the issue of a calendar year; and about
the close of each year there shall be published in a brochure arranged
to complete the volume a title-page, a list of contents, and an index
for the corresponding volume, together with an abstract of the
proceedings of the Society and lists of officers and members for the
year, and a copy of the by-laws and rules governing the Society.
_Matter of Publication_.
SEC. 5. The matter published in the National Geographic Magazine, may
comprise: (1) original communications prepared by members or guests of
the National Geographic Society presented at meetings by title or
otherwise; (2) original communications or memoirs prepared for the
Magazine either by members or non-members, whether presented before
the Society or not; (3) translations or abstracts of important foreign
publications relating to geography, reviews of geographic works, items
of geographic intelligence, etc.; (4) abstracts of papers read and
discussions made before the Society, prepared or revised by authors;
(5) administrative records of the Society, including condensed minutes
of meetings prepared by the secretaries; (6) lists of members, by-laws
and rules, resolutions of permanent character, etc.; and (7) title
pages, lists of contents and indexes for each volume.
SEC. 6. Matter designed for publication in the National Geographic
Magazine may be transmitted to the Committee on Publications either
direct or through the secretaries or other officers of the Society:
soon as may be thereafter the Committee shall decide on the
desirability and expediency of publication, or refer the matter to the
Board of Managers for decision; if the matter is accepted it shall be
published soon as practicable; if rejected it shall be returned to the
author. Communications from non-members and translated memoirs shall
be published only upon unanimous vote of the Committee on Publications
or by specific authority from the Board of Managers. The Committee on
Publications or the Board of Managers may refer any communication to
special committees for examination.
SEC. 7. Matter offered for publication in the National Geographic
Magazine becomes thereby the property of the National Geographic
Society and shall not be published elsewhere prior to publication in
the Magazine except by consent of the Society.
SEC. 8. Matter accepted for publication in the National Geographic
Magazine shall be either printed and issued soon as possible as a
memoir-brochure or reserved for the next brochure of miscellaneous
contents (or magazine-brochure) at the option of the Committee on
Publications. Proofs of letter-press and illustrations shall be
submitted to authors or persons designated by authors whenever
practicable; but printing shall not be delayed more that one week by
reason of absence or incapacity of authors.
_Manner of Publication_.
SEC. 9. The text of each brochure of the National Geographic Magazine
shall begin under its proper title on an odd-numbered page bearing at
its head the title of the serial, the volume, the limiting pages, and
the date of publication; each such brochure shall be accompanied by
the illustrations pertaining to it, the plates consecutively numbered
for the volume; and each brochure may contain a synoptic list of
contents prepared by the author and, at the option of the Committee on
Publications, an alphabetic index, provided the same be prepared by
the author. Each brochure shall be enclosed in a cover conforming
nearly as may be to the present covers of the serial, bearing at the
head of its title-page the title of the serial, the volume, the
limiting pages, the date of publication, and, below, the seal and
imprint of the Society; other cover pages may bear a list of the
publications of the Society; but nothing else of bibliographic or
other permanent value shall be printed on the covers unless the same
be printed also in the body of the volume to which the brochure
belongs.
SEC. 10. The author of each memoir shall receive twenty-five copies
without charge and shall be authorized to order, through the Committee
on Publications, any edition of exactly similar brochures in exactly
similar covers to be printed as author's separates at cost of paper
and press work; but no author's separates of the memoir-brochures
shall be issued except in this regular form.
SEC. 11. At least two magazine-brochures maybe published during each
year, the first about the close of the meeting season of the Society,
and the second about the close of the calendar year.
SEC. 12. Authors of papers in the magazine-brochures shall have the
privilege of ordering, through the Committee on Publications, at their
own cost, any number of separate copies, provided these separates bear
the original pagination and a printed reference to the serial and
volume from which they are extracted.
SEC. 13. About the end of each year a volume-title-page, general lists
of contents and illustrations of the volume, lists of officers and
members of the Society, the by-laws and rules, an abstract of the
proceedings for the year, and a general index to the volume shall be
printed and issued as a separate brochure. All of this matter except
the index shall be arranged for binding at the beginning of the volume
under a distinct Roman pagination; but the index shall take the
regular Arabic pagination at the end of the volume. The title-page
shall bear the name of the Committee on Publications; and the obverse
shall bear the imprimatur of the Board of Managers and the printer's
card.
SEC. 14. The bottom of each signature and of each initial page shall
bear a signature mark giving an abbreviated title of the serial, the
volume and the year; and every page shall be numbered, the initial and
sub-title pages at the bottom.
SEC. 15. The page-head titles shall be: on even-numbered pages, name
of author and catch title of paper; on odd-numbered pages, catch title
of contents of page.
SEC. 16. All brochures shall be trimmed at top, side and bottom.
SEC. 17. The typography, paper and general make up shall conform,
except as herein otherwise specified, nearly as may be to the National
Geographic Magazine as heretofore published.
SEC. 18. The date of publication of each brochure shall be that upon
which the edition is delivered to the Committee on Publications.
SEC. 19. The brochures shall be distributed immediately by the
Committee on Publications to members of the Society, subscribers, and
exchanges from a list furnished by the Secretaries; and the
undistributed copies of each edition shall be turned over to the
Secretaries.
SEC. 20. The regular edition shall be seven hundred and fifty copies
for the Society, and twenty-five copies for authors.
SEC. 21. The Committee on Publications shall keep a record of all
matter published wholly or in part under the auspices of the Society
whether the same be author's editions of the memoir-brochures,
author's extracts from the magazine-brochures, or any other matter
printed from type originally composed for the Magazine.
SEC. 22. The Magazine shall be mailed free to members of the Society
not in arrears for dues more than six months, and also to exchanges,
and for an annual price of three dollars to regular subscribers. The
separate brochures may be sold, to the number of not more than ten to
each individual, at an advance on cost of 25 per cent. to members and
75 per cent. to non-members of the Society; and either separate
brochures or complete volumes may be sold to dealers at the usual
discount for matter of the same class.
SEC. 23. The Committee on Publications may introduce at discretion
advertisements of proper character, on pages provided for the purpose
not taking the regular pagination of the Magazine, at the usual rates
for such service.
OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY.
1891.
_President_.
GARDINER G. HUBBARD.
_Vice-Presidents_.
HERBERT G. OGDEN.
EVERETT HAYDEN.
A. W. GREELY.
C. HART MERRIAM.
HENRY GANNETT.
_Treasurer_.
CHARLES J. BELL.
_Secretaries_.
MARCUS BAKER. C. A. KENASTON.
_Managers_.
ROGERS BIRNIE, JR. W J MCGEE.
G. K. GILBERT. T. C. MENDENHALL.
G. BROWN GOODE. W. B. POWELL.
WILLARD D. JOHNSON. B. H. WARDER.
MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY.
MARCH 25, 1891.
_a_, original members.
_c_, corresponding members.
_l_, life members.
* Deceased.
In cases where no city is given in the address, Washington, D. C., is
to be understood.
ABBE, PROF. CLEVELAND, _a_, _l_,
Army Signal Office.
ABERT, S. THAYER (Silvanus Thayer),
1108 G Street.
ACKERMAN, ENS. A. A. (Albert Ammerman), U. S. N., _c_,
Navy Department.
ACKLEY, LIEUT. COMDR. S. M. (Seth Mitchell), U. S. N.,
Coast and Geodetic Survey.
ADDISON, A. D. (Arthur D----)
Metropolitan Club.