were the statement allowed to pass without comment. I therefore wrote to the Editor of the Athenæum, saying that I thought the remarks contained in his paper were somewhat premature.
Having now given the substance of the controversy, I leave the reader to form his own conclusions, but whatever these may be, it is impossible to deny that a tribute of praise is due from geographers of all nations to Colonel Prejevalsky for the undaunted energy and perseverance shown by him in all that he has undertaken.
The article on Lakes Balkash and Ala-kul is taken from the best Russian authorities, whilst that on the Starovertsi may be of interest to the general reader.
In the map, Mr. Weller, of Red Lion Square, has incorporated all the most recent information procurable, and in the region round Kulja or Kuldja, the cartography has been corrected according to a Russian MS. map in the collection of the Royal Geographical Society compiled in 1872, from surveys taken on the spot.
15, Roland Gardens, S.W.
October, 1878.
