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time for exploring, as my hands were tied by having to watch my opportunity for making the necessary observations at the summit. Before starting on the journey I had estimated the height of Odai Yama at 5,000 feet, to enable me to calculate the temperature, which proved however lower than I had anticipated. During the nights it was very cold, the lowest I registered the thermometer was 28°, and it froze pretty hard on two occasions.
I have only to add, that this wild region which stretches almost entirely across the peninsula, and far away to the north, is full of interest to the naturalist, while to the lover of scenery it presents views of the wildest and grandest description. The Japanese know very little about it; the charcoal burners are the only beings who penetrate far into the interior, and they never approach the inner masses of mountain, of which Odai Yama is but a single chain.
A General Meeting of the Society was held on Wednesday evening, 17th February, at the Grand Hotel, Dr. Hepburn in the chair.
The minutes of the last meeting were approved, and it was announced that Mr. Montague Kirkwood had been elected an ordinary member since last general meeting.
Sir Harry Parkes then read “A description of the coast between Oosima and Toba Harbours, and an account of an excursion among the forests and mountain ranges of the province of Yamato,” by Captain H. C. St. John, Commanding H. M. S. Sylvia.”
After the paper had been read a vote of thanks to Captain St. John for his interesting contribution was moved by the Rev. Mr. Syle, seconded by Mr. Drummond Hay, and carried unanimously.
Mr. Syle then remarked on the especially interesting and valuable character of the Paper just read; and questioned whether there might wot be constructed on the hill-sides of Yamato such timber-shoots or “slides” as were found in the forests of Germany and Oregon: also, it seemed very desirable, if indeed the true chamois is to he found in Yamato, that its skin should be utilized as leather, and its flesh for food.
